Virtual Messi's stamina was a big problem.
Fortunately, Gao Nuo didn't assign him any defensive tasks.
However, he still needed to hurry, as there was still a significant gap to the 7-goal victory.
In the 52nd minute of the match, Gao Nuo received a long pass in the center circle, chested the ball down, and took possession with his back to the goal.
With Virtual Casemiro behind him, he passed the ball to the right and immediately turned to run forward.
Virtual Messi met the ball and played a through pass with his left foot, the ball curving into the penalty area.
Virtual Lukaku held off his opponent and headed the ball down.
Gao Nuo, who had run into position, faced a golden opportunity and volleyed the ball.
The ball flew past Virtual Lima's face and straight towards the right side of the goal.
Virtual De Gea leaped, and the ball hit his hand, deflecting into the net.
5:2!
In the 58th minute of the match, Virtual Gavi and Gao Nuo combined with a series of one-two passes.
Just as Virtual Gavi was about to shoot from long range.
"Pass!"
Gao Nuo's shout was answered, and Virtual Gavi passed the ball without hesitation.
This was one of the benefits of having virtual teammates.
Obedient! They pass when you ask!
Facing the defensive cover, Gao Nuo passed the ball to Virtual Messi, who was running up the right wing.
Each extra pass stretched the opponent's defense a little more.
Virtual Messi got a better shooting opportunity.
He curled a shot with his left foot, easily opening the opponent's goal.
6:2!
In the 66th minute of the match, Virtual Messi took another corner kick.
Gao Nuo couldn't find an opportunity under tight marking.
Virtual Lukaku's header was caught by Virtual De Gea.
"The opponent is counter-attacking!"
After landing, Gao Nuo's feet moved with his will, and he charged towards midfield with his head down.
Sure enough, a long pass found Virtual Gao Nuo up front.
The interference from two virtual teammates created an opportunity for Gao Nuo.
At 30 meters from the goal, Gao Nuo caught up to his virtual self.
With no defensive technique, Gao Nuo was now just battling himself physically and for speed.
Two identical tall figures simultaneously chasing a fast-rolling ball.
The scene was inexplicably strange.
Compared to attacking players, the difficulty for defensive players is smaller; they don't need to win the ball, just disrupt the attack.
Finding his balance in the collision, Gao Nuo made up his mind and slid towards the ball.
Virtual Gao Nuo's long legs met an opponent, desperately trying to push the ball aside.
"Hoo—hoo—"
Lying on the ground, Gao Nuo quickly regulated his breathing; winning against his doppelganger had consumed too much of his stamina.
The goalkeeper had already kicked the ball out, and Gao Nuo rolled over, got up, and continued to attack.
Time was tight!
The task was heavy!
In the 70th minute of the match, it was Virtual Messi's corner kick again.
This time, Gao Nuo voluntarily gave up attacking, entangling two defenders by himself.
Virtual Stones seized the opportunity and headed the ball into the net.
7:2!
In the 78th minute of the match, Gao Nuo once again became the attacking core.
Virtual Gavi, Virtual Messi, and Gao Nuo formed a triangular attack on the right side of the field.
With Gao Nuo at the center, they continuously passed and received, shifting the defense back and forth.
Just as Virtual Eriksen pushed up, Gao Nuo knew the opportunity had arrived.
Suddenly accelerating past his opponent, Gao Nuo charged straight into the penalty area.
The two central defenders immediately covered, and Gao Nuo naturally didn't force it.
Wasting one opportunity could make 90 minutes of effort go to waste.
He passed horizontally to the left, Virtual Lukaku followed up, and shot!
As expected of Lukaku, facing the goalkeeper, his shot hit the left post.
Gao Nuo's mood instantly plummeted.
"Hey!"
A twist of fate, Virtual Zaniolo, who hadn't had many chances, appeared in front of the ball.
With a follow-up shot, the ball rolled smoothly into the net.
8:2!
Gao Nuo immediately called a timeout to re-adjust the formation.
Victory was within reach, and Gao Nuo couldn't help but feel a little excited, taking the opportunity to recover his stamina while quickly operating on the virtual tactics board.
"Messi switches to attacking midfield, I'll play up front, Lukaku and Zaniolo come off, and two defenders come on."
"We'll play a 6-2-1-1. Manchester United's tactics are too obvious; they'll definitely focus on attacking both wings. As long as we can defend, Messi will definitely be able to pass the ball over, and then it'll be up to me!"
After making adjustments to his liking, the match resumed.
If there were spectators on the sidelines, they would surely have lambasted Gao Nuo.
It was too disgusting, a complete violation of sportsmanship.
Eight players stood inside and outside the penalty area, leaving Virtual Manchester United with nowhere to attack.
In the 88th minute of the match, Gao Nuo was starting to get impatient.
The 'bus' was effective, successfully thwarting the opponent's attacks.
However, in several clearances, Virtual Messi failed to win possession.
Just as it seemed all efforts would be in vain, Virtual Gavi stepped up.
The ball was cleared out of the penalty area again, and Virtual Eriksen got to the first bounce.
The ball was passed to the wing, Virtual Gavi anticipated it, started early, and successfully intercepted the ball.
Counterattack!
Pass to Virtual Messi!
Left-footed through pass!
Gao Nuo gathered all his strength and sprinted!
He overtook all opponents!
One-on-one with Virtual De Gea!
Just as he had done countless times in training!
He shot towards the upper left corner of the goal!
Goal!
9:2!
Gao Nuo instinctively wanted to slide on his knees to celebrate but suddenly realized and simply lay down on the spot.
Even in a virtual match, he could still waste time.
Five months of torment had made Gao Nuo abandon all sportsmanship.
In the final 5 minutes, he first feigned an injury to delay for a while.
Then he demanded that the goalkeeper delay taking the goal kick, earning a yellow card.
Finally, Gao Nuo ran directly to the corner flag to shield the ball, earning 4 consecutive corner kicks.
"Beep beep beep—!"
The final whistle blew.
Gao Nuo finally lay on the virtual turf, a smile appearing on his face.
Challenge Road, sixtieth battle.
Completed!
.
Returning to the virtual training ground, Gao Nuo's excitement hadn't ended; it was as if he had accomplished a major life event.
The Challenge Road, which had plagued him for five months, was finally cleared.
After grinning foolishly for a while, Gao Nuo remembered to ask the system.
"The Challenge Road is finally over. What new features are there? Hurry up and show them to me!"
"Congratulations, host, the Challenge Road has been fully upgraded, and the simulated match function is now available."
"Elaborate!"
"Among active players, the host can freely choose his teammates and opponents."
"Don't stop!"
"The host can also choose any coach to direct the match."
"Anything else?"
"The upgraded simulated matches have no limit on the number of times."
"Awesome! This is awesome! Come on, let's play a match first!"
After interrupting the system, Gao Nuo immediately started the simulation.
Opening the virtual tactics board, Gao Nuo silently recited the names of his teammates.
Casemiro, Neymar, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford, Luke Shaw, Rice.
After reciting all of Manchester United's starting lineup, their corresponding avatars appeared on the tactics board.
"Huh? Why is there a red '+' sign above Neymar's head? Injured?"
Gao Nuo curiously reached out and tapped it.
"The currently selected player is suffering from an injury. Please choose again!"
Looking at the system prompt in the void.
Gao Nuo wasn't surprised; games were always like this, he was just confirming it.
"Then let's replace him with Antony. Next is Real Madrid's lineup; what starting eleven will they field?"
After thinking for a while, Gao Nuo selected the 11 opponents he thought they would use.
Then he selected the head coaches for both teams.
Confirm start!