“Welcome back to TikTok Sports!”
“This is the England FA Cup final, commentated by Zhan Jun and Duan Xuan!”
“The brief 15-minute break is over, and both teams are back on the field.”
“Oh! We see Süle and Lima on the bench warming up simultaneously; it seems Erik ten Hag plans to adjust the defense.”
“Haha, yes, let’s look forward to it. Sheffield United kicks off now, and the second half begins!”
Only the final 45 minutes of the match remained.
Sheffield United had taken the lead twice, only for Rashford to equalize both times single-handedly.
This forced their coach, Marcelino, to make adjustments.
The formation was changed to 4-5-1.
They strengthened their defense, hoping to drag the game into extra time, or even a penalty shootout.
Manchester United faced less defensive pressure, pushed their formation forward, and attacked relentlessly.
In the 52nd minute of the match, Nübel took a goal kick.
Gao Nuo, at the center circle, chested the ball down, shielded it with his back to the defender, and waited for a teammate to support him.
Rashford and Antony pressed forward immediately.
Fortunately, the offside line prevented them from rushing directly to the byline.
Manchester United’s attack was fierce, and Sheffield United dared not be careless.
Only Sander Berge was positioned behind Gao Nuo, with players in other positions retreating.
Manchester United’s midfield trio ignored Gao Nuo and pressed forward directly.
“These guys, are they all so eager to score?”
Gao Nuo, feeling “neglected,” couldn’t help but chuckle.
With his right foot firmly planted, his left foot, which was on the ball, lifted, then he pushed and pulled, using his core strength to easily complete a turn.
Having bypassed a defender, Gao Nuo looked up to choose a passing lane.
At this moment, Bruno Fernandes was at the very front, with Rice and Casemiro spread out on either side of Gao Nuo.
Rashford and Antony on the wings had already penetrated deep into both sides of the penalty area.
Gao Nuo’s position was more like an attacking midfielder, holding the option for this attack.
After confirming his teammates’ movements again, Gao Nuo finalized his attacking plan.
He signaled a one-two pass to Bruno Fernandes, then passed the ball to him.
Bruno Fernandes understood instinctively, passing it back to the left without stopping the ball.
Gao Nuo continued to dribble, and as a result, Sheffield United’s defensive focus inevitably shifted to him.
Antony Katchi rushed towards him, but Gao Nuo remained calm, sticking to his plan, and slotted the ball into the half-space.
Rashford arrived swiftly, dribbling into the penalty area.
A familiar spot.
Familiar shielding of the defender.
Familiar shot.
“Damn it! Again?”
Sheffield United’s goalkeeper moved to his right side in advance, determined not to let Rashford score into the top right corner again.
“Bang!”
Another powerful shot, and the ball flew into the bottom left corner of the goal.
The goalkeeper, who had moved early, looked like a clown, staring blankly at the ball in the net.
Rashford, running towards the stands, kissed his badge, raised his hands, and accepted the cheers of the fans.
“That was beautiful! Rashford completes a hat-trick, and Manchester United takes the lead for the first time.”
“It’s in the half-space again; it seems Sheffield United’s goalkeeper has been traumatized.”
“Haha, yes, he went straight for the top right corner, but Rashford changed direction.”
“Manchester United’s attack is fierce, with all three routes pressing forward simultaneously.”
“Haha, Gao Nuo’s pass was also brilliant. I wonder if it was intentional, but it felt very purposeful, as if he specifically wanted to help Rashford score his third goal.”
“Exactly, Gao Nuo’s offensive organization is eye-catching. I wouldn’t say his passing is incredibly precise, but his attacking Ideas is very clear.”
“Haha, now that Zhan Jun mentions it, it really is true; the consecutive passes had no pause whatsoever.”
Zhan Jun and Duan Xuan enjoyed their commentary, and the audience enjoyed watching.
Over 50 minutes, 5 goals had already been scored, and it seemed it wasn’t over yet.
In the 60th minute of the match, Manchester United launched an attack from the wing.
Antony was inspired by Rashford’s explosive performance.
Receiving a pass from Vanderson, he charged forward alone.
Winger Saville Goodwin was the first to suffer.
Facing his opponent, Antony seized the opportunity and nudged the ball forward with his left foot.
The ball went through Goodwin’s legs—a nutmeg!
Antony dribbled forward, now facing a double-team from Sander Berge and Sinkgraven.
Stopping abruptly, he moved along the touchline with the ball, Antony looked at Casemiro pressing up on the left.
Goodwin was about to catch up, and Antony was about to be trapped.
Sander Berge slowed his double-teaming momentum, consciously shifting his focus to the center.
Casemiro’s advance was something that had to be defended against.
Just when everyone thought Antony would pass.
Suddenly, an explosive dribble, followed by a leap between the two closing defenders.
Antony broke into the penalty area.
“Cover my position!”
Anel Ahmedhodžić rushed to the right, not forgetting to direct his partner to move.
Antony had intended to try a curling shot himself, but he caught sight of Gao Nuo on the edge of the penalty area out of the corner of his eye.
Without hesitation, he laid the ball off to the middle.
Antony Katchi, following his captain’s direction, moved to the center, perfectly blocking Gao Nuo’s shooting lane.
Gao Nuo lightly touched the rolling ball with the outside of his right foot, sending it further to his left and behind him.
Bruno Fernandes appeared in front of the ball, with only the goalkeeper remaining.
He unleashed a powerful shot!
A low drive flew into the bottom left corner of the goal!
The goalkeeper stood frozen in place.
Goal!
The three players, who had combined so well, embraced.
Erik ten Hag on the sidelines pumped his fist, then immediately signaled for substitutions.
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A two-goal lead allowed Manchester United to relax considerably.
Sheffield United would surely counter-attack, so it was time to adjust the defense.
“That was brilliant! Manchester United’s attack is incredibly fluid; Sheffield United has no way to resist.”
“Haha, Gao Nuo’s pass was truly beautiful! He didn’t even look behind him; this level of understanding is astonishing!”
In the live stream, Gao Nuo’s fans sent barrages of comments along with the commentators, hoping to see Gao Nuo score.
Süle and Lisandro Martínez came on as substitutes simultaneously.
Manchester United’s formation retreated slightly, leaving only Gao Nuo at the front.
In the 72nd minute of the match, Sheffield United attacked from the wing again.
Luke Shaw, having just come on, was full of energy and launched a counter-attack after winning possession.
Gao Nuo received the pass and quickly transferred it to Rashford on the left.
“Roar—!”
The hat-trick earned Rashford high praise from the fans.
Every time he got the ball, Manchester United fans would erupt in cheers.
He once again broke through at high speed from the wing, seemingly about to attack the goal from the half-space for the fourth time.
Antony Katchi opted for a tactical foul, stopping the attack at the cost of a yellow card.
Amidst a chorus of boos, Rashford smiled; he was finally enjoying the game again.
Bruno Fernandes took a direct free-kick.
Sheffield United’s goalkeeper finally made a contribution, keeping the ball out.
The ball rebounded in front of the goal, leading to a scramble.
Gao Nuo, with quick eyes and feet, touched the ball first.
Under pressure from all directions, Gao Nuo lost his balance but managed to poke the ball towards the goal.
“Damn it! It’s wide!”
Just as Gao Nuo was regretting it, Antony arrived at the goalmouth and easily tapped the ball in.
Manchester United 5:2 Sheffield United, the outcome of the match was largely decided.