CHAPTER 1892: CHAPTER 988: IS THE WORLD CUP JOURNEY COMING TO AN END? (PART 2)

Then let’s watch the cheerleaders’ performance in the VIP seats over here, after all, these cheerleaders are quite good-looking and have great figures.

"Trailing by one point in the first half, this is a situation our national team doesn’t often find itself in. The Spanish team’s resilience is strong, and the second half won’t be easy either."

Xu Bin analyzed the situation.

Xu Bin wasn’t very optimistic about the second-half match.

Because from the later part of the first half, it was clear that the Spanish team and the national team were able to go back and forth, but both sides found it hard to penetrate each other’s defense and goal.

The national team managed to get one point at the start, with Xin Feiyang coordinating with Li Shuangying, Liu Zhan, and Zhao Xuanming’s combo plays, but then they were perfectly countered by the Spanish team.

"A tough opponent, the Spanish team is like that. They are also one of the world’s top teams."

Ding Yue nodded and said, "Let’s see how the second half goes. Even if we lose to the Spanish team, it’s okay. Getting to the semi-finals... though it’s a pity, it’s already enough."

Ding Yue didn’t have much confidence in whether the national team could win today. Everyone else felt the same because the Spanish team’s performance was superb. They were at peak strength and peak state.

As for the national team, although they are a strong underdog, before this, their performance had already reached peak state. Being able to go back and forth with the Spanish team shows that the national team’s current state is also at its peak, but breaking through the Spanish team’s defense is still difficult. The match is quite spectacular, making the final result unpredictable.

In the country.

Major streaming platforms and football forums were buzzing with discussions about the national team versus Spanish team semi-final.

Just like Ding Yue and Principal Xu Dongcheng, many people found it hard to predict the outcome of the match. The national team might win, given their limitless potential, but they might not, given the Spanish team’s overwhelming strength.

Of course.

The own goal in the first half sparked heated discussion among domestic viewers and netizens. Though many understand the own goal, some netizens criticized the player responsible for it.

Fortunately, the national team players won’t be looking at the domestic netizens’ comments and discussions at this moment, otherwise, they might feel psychologically affected.

"That own goal was crucial, so frustrating."

"How could such a basic mistake be made?"

"To be fair, the own goal shouldn’t have happened."

"Actually, it’s understandable given the pressure from the Spanish team, and after such a long battle, this own goal was purely an accident."

"I feel like the national team is sleepwalking."

"The national team’s performance has been outstanding, please be kind with your words."

"I’m just asking, do you think the national team can make a comeback in the second half?"

"I think this match seems unlikely."

"Putting aside the own goal, the Spanish team’s hard strength is very strong, it’s clear the national team is struggling against them."

While the national team players won’t look at the comments about this match during the halftime break.

That doesn’t mean Ding Yue won’t.

Ding Yue briefly checked the Feiyue Home streaming media platform’s live room and some main sports channels on domestic forums, finding many netizens criticizing the player responsible for the own goal.

"Sigh."

Ding Yue couldn’t help but sigh.

These netizens really have too much time on their hands. Ding Yue had long expected that when the national team was not performing well, they would be criticized. Now that they have risen and achieved new results, any hurdle or slight stumble would draw criticism from these online keyboard warriors.

For these online keyboard warriors, every issue in the world can be "solved" with just their keyboards.

After reading the domestic online comments for a while, Ding Yue turned off the phone screen and put it away.

No longer watching.

Watching it just spoils the mood, pointless.

"What’s wrong, Principal Ding?"

Beside him, Principal Xu Dongcheng noticed something unhappy about Principal Ding and asked, puzzled.

"Nothing."

Ding Yue shook his head and said, "The second half is about to start."

"Uh-huh."

After a while, the players from the national team and the Spanish team took to the field, and the second half was about to begin.

Trailing by one point in the first half, the national team has to step up in the second half, or they’ll lose to the Spanish team. Already reaching the semi-finals, from a subjective perspective, Ding Yue, as the team’s owner, naturally hopes the national team can achieve victory and enter the finals.

"It’s starting, hello fans, welcome to the second-half match of the 2026 America-Canada-Mexico World Cup semi-final, national team vs. Spanish team. The current score is Spain two, national team one, temporarily leading. Let’s see how the national team performs in the second half."

In the live room, the professional football commentary began "working."

On the field, the second half officially kicked off.

It was the Spanish team players who kicked off first, as they held possession when the first half ended, so beginning the second half, the Spanish team continued possession and prepared for a probing attack.

The national team basically didn’t give any gaps, so this attack from the Spanish team didn’t achieve anything substantial, ending with an unthreatening attempt on goal.

Subsequently.

The national team seized the ball and launched a swift counterattack.

According to the tactics set by the national team’s head coach Hou Xiangming during halftime, the second half should start with formidable attacks to retrieve one point if possible. Even if it’s not possible to score, they should disrupt the Spanish team’s rhythm.

At this point, breaking the opponent’s rhythm must be considered, otherwise they might leave you no time to breathe.

The national team’s Liu Zhan, Li Shuangying, Zhao Xuanming, and Xin Feiyang cooperated actively, and amidst midfield control by Zhu Tan, a series of fierce attacks didn’t result in any substantial goals.

It has to be said.

The Spanish team’s defense was extraordinary, nearly perfect. The national team’s attack and the Spanish team’s defense clashed fiercely, producing quite a spectacular match.

Li Shuangying made several shots, thinking they could score, but were defended by the Spanish team. Had it been any other team, at least two out of Li Shuangying’s three shots might’ve gone in.

Yet against the Spanish team, all three shots missed, two were blocked by the goalkeeper, and one was deflected by a defensive player.

Quite unbelievable!

As time reached over eighty minutes, both sides began substitutions.

Both sides replaced two players, the national team still needed to press the attack, being one point behind with time running out. If they couldn’t level the score, they’d lose to the Spanish team.

The national team only needed one point to draw level with the Spanish team. Even a draw would suffice, as it would lead to a penalty shootout.

Though they didn’t want a penalty shootout in the last match against Baxi, it’s different against the Spanish team.

"Get another point!"

In the VIP audience, Huang Youjie eagerly wished for the national team to score quickly.

However.

Zhao Xuanming’s shot was again saved by the Spanish team’s goalkeeper.

"Oh no!"

The national team fans in the stands let out disappointed sighs.

Time reached ninety minutes.

The national team still hadn’t broken through.

For the Spanish team, besides their counterattacks, their defense was almost flawless. Even in their prime, Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi would’ve struggled to break through the Spanish team’s defense.

"Could it be that the national team is going to lose?"

In the last few seconds of added stoppage time, the national team was still trying hard to score, but judging by the situation on the field, it seemed unlikely.