Chapter 502: Chapter 501: Old Trafford Celebrates a Hat Trick
But he didn’t expect... Fran’s header turned out to be a high-quality ground smash attack!
After the football hit the ground and bounced up, it accurately struck Feng Te’s crotch.
While Feng Te was midair, his body had already twisted.
He fell to the ground, hands clutching his vitals, collapsing to the ground.
If he had known this would happen, he definitely wouldn’t have blocked that shot.
Winning or losing is just about one game, but whether the little brother is intact, that’s a matter for life!
But no one called him a pussy.
Because he used his little buddy to maintain Sporting Lisbon’s chance to fight again in the next round.
He blocked Fran’s shot.
Vidic, who hurried back, turned and cleared it with a big kick.
Deng Kai ran to where the football was and went for a long kick relay, completing a super-fast pass and shoot!
As Kaka received the ball, before Keane could come up, he made his move, pulling off a beautiful feint and prepared to eat Keane alive.
But Keane, as the future number one midfielder in Premier League history, and as the superstar who managed to outshine the world’s number one defensive midfielder Vieira at this stage with his record, was naturally not just for show.
Keane immediately braked, turned, and grabbed the shirt, sticking with Kaka.
Faced with the feint, many defenders would get confused, and thus be bypassed like a post.
But Keane chose to follow the man, not the ball.
From this, it wasn’t hard to predict Keane’s next move.
Following the ball meant the player had confidence in his speed, dribbling, and physicality, able to directly tackle the problem.
Following the man meant the player had a wealth of experience, and even if he couldn’t solve the problem, he could handle the person creating the problem.
As expected.
As Kaka sped up for the second time, it seemed like he was about to shake off Keane.
Bang!
Keane brought Kaka down with a bear hug move.
The main referee immediately blew the whistle.
Although Veron, Solskjaer kept persuading, the main referee still unhesitatingly showed the yellow card, being fair and just.
And this was Keane’s second yellow card of the match.
Two yellows turned into one red, Keane was sent off the field.
Manchester United faced the game with ten men.
And Keane would also be suspended in the next round.
Unless Manchester United progressed to the Champions League final, his Champions League season was already over.
Of course, Sporting Lisbon also fought with ten men.
Because Feng Te’s little brother was still receiving treatment by the side of the pitch and would need a minute or two before he could return to the field.
"Kaka’s speed is very fast, and Keane really couldn’t keep up with him, you have to remember that Keane is already thirty-two years old."
"Considering that Sporting Lisbon doesn’t pose much of a threat in the next round, Keane getting a red card in this match is not unacceptable."
"After all, getting a red card in the next round and missing the final is what Manchester United fans truly couldn’t accept."
"As for this free kick, the position is quite dangerous, hopefully, Manchester United is well-prepared."
"Of course, Manchester United is very good at scoring from free kicks and also at defending them, having conceded the third fewest set-piece goals in the Premier League this season."
Trigella nodded on the side.
This statement was on point.
It sounded much better than "Manchester United has conceded quite a few goals from open play this season."
And this had a lot to do with Veron’s signing and Stam’s departure.
Behind the football, Deng Kai took a deep breath.
He was fully focused, as this could very well be the team’s last attacking opportunity of the match.
Bang!
Deng Kai unleashed a free kick with all his shooting skill.
But the biggest characteristic of Barthez, the goalkeeper, was being a "wild card"!
He could concede many unimaginable goals.
He could also save many unimaginable shots.
Ronaldo’s second goal originated from Barthez’s slip of the hand.
But according to the law of conservation of goals, what was lost at Ronaldo’s end, might just be recovered at Deng Kai’s.
"Beautiful! Barthez with a super save! Keeping Deng Kai’s free kick out of the net!"
"Incredible! This is a world-class save!"
"This..."
Bang!
According to the law of conservation of goals, if a goal that should happen is interfered with, it will still find its way back to the right track in the aftermath.
"Ronaldo! Ronaldo has rushed out!"
"A follow-up shot... beautiful!"
"It’s in! Ronaldo! Ronaldo! It’s still Ronaldo!"
"Three to three! My God! A miracle! Ronaldo has created a miracle!"
"He becomes the first player in history to score a hat-trick on his first visit to Old Trafford!"
"Seven shots in the whole game! Five on target! Three goals! Ronaldo’s shooting is frightfully strong!"
"Ronaldo is undoubtedly today’s most courageous player, he has leveled the score! He alone has allowed Sporting Lisbon to leave Old Trafford unscathed!"
"Ronaldo! This is his thirteenth Champions League goal of the season! No matter the team’s performance, Ronaldo has almost locked in this season’s Champions League Golden Boot ahead of time!"
"He is one of this season’s best forwards in world football! Saying this last season might have been premature, but this season, he can’t wait to declare it to the whole world of fans!"
"And I agree!"
On the field, even the proud Ronaldo, after scoring the goal, excitedly rushed to the sidelines, performing Deng Kai’s "siu" celebration in front of the fans.
To everyone’s amazement, nearly half of the home fans at Old Trafford Stadium joined in with Ronaldo’s "siu."
The few Sporting Lisbon fans went wild with applause and cheers.
"Ronaldo! Ronaldo! Ronaldo!"
They started chanting Ronaldo’s name.
About three seconds later, the stadium exploded.
Because Manchester United’s coach Ferguson, after showing speechlessness at the goal from the bench, also started clapping.
He was immensely satisfied with Ronaldo’s performance.
His instincts told him that a young man who could be so audacious and strong in their presence might achieve a future that could match, if not surpass, Beckham.
Even ... surpass!
"Ronaldo! Ronaldo! Ronaldo!"
The Manchester United fans followed Ferguson in clapping and cheering.
The thunderous cheers even made the fans outside the stadium think the team had scored another goal, leading four to two.
"Oh! Incredible! Treason at the Theatre of Dreams!"
"The young Ronaldo has conquered this stadium!"
"He looks around, and all he hears are cheers!"
In the frame, Deng Kai walked over to Ronaldo.
Because he saw Ronaldo’s bewilderment.
When Ronaldo celebrated, there was anger—anger from being suppressed, anger from being told he was not as good as van Nistelrooy, and further anger from the whole world’s belief that Sporting Lisbon was certain to lose to Manchester United.
So his expression was ugly.
And in return for his animosity, they gave him applause.
What was he to make of that?
Deng Kai went over and gave Ronaldo a hug, then dragged Ronaldo away from the Manchester United fans’ area.
After that, Manchester United restarted the game.
They were somewhat dissatisfied with Ronaldo’s moment of glory at the stadium.
The 95th minute.
Pepe, who had mostly been outplayed one-on-one by Beckham, finally won a challenge.
After intercepting Beckham, he delivered a long pass.
Ibrahimovic, retreating, held off Veron and flicked the ball on with his head.
Deng Kai got a breakaway chance!
Manchester United had pressed too high up in the final moments.
Exposing a huge vulnerability.
But before Deng Kai could take off, he was brought down by a tackle from behind by Solskjaer.
Whistle!
The referee immediately rushed to Solskjaer and pulled out a red card!
Players from both teams crowded around.
Solskjaer had no reaction to the referee’s decision—he could probably anticipate his fate.
After receiving the red card, he first and foremost bent down to ask Deng Kai, who had not yet got up, if he was alright.
Deng Kai quickly got up, indicating he was fine.
He could tell that Solskjaer was somewhat concerned about potential injuries.
After all, Deng Kai had just recently recovered from an injury.
If injured again, it was very possible that he would suffer lasting effects.
"Sorry, lad," Solskjaer gave Deng Kai a hug.
"It’s alright, I understand you," Deng Kai patted Solskjaer on the head.
The fans at the Theatre of Dreams applauded.
They were very satisfied with both Deng Kai’s sportsmanship and Solskjaer’s defensive attitude.
If it weren’t for Solskjaer, Manchester United might have been equalized against or even defeated at the last moment.
That was a price they could not afford to pay by any means.
Then, following Ronaldinho’s free-kick that flew directly into the stands,
the referee blew the whistle three times, ending the match.
Sporting Lisbon drew three to three with Manchester United away.
They had led twice, but in the end, they were the ones chasing their opponent in the final moments.
But fortunately, they had Ronaldo!
Even fans who didn’t understand football thought so.
Ronaldo: ???
After the game, Ronaldo received a super high score of 9.8 and was awarded the MVP of the match!
There was no dispute about it.
However, the fans significantly overlooked what Deng Kai did in the game.
Both of Manchester United’s red cards were a result of Deng Kai’s passes or dribbles.
All three of Ronaldo’s goals were also related to Deng Kai.
Fairweather fans were already celebrating Ronaldo’s hat-trick.
But true fans were filled with anticipation for Deng Kai’s performance in the next match!
