After Gao Nuo's disruption, Manchester United sacrificed a Rashford for the team's composure.
Gradually adapting to the opponent's intensity, Manchester United began to find their footing, and their attacking play slowly unfolded.
In the 36th minute, it was Rice again who made a tackle, but this time he didn't choose the left side; Rashford needed to calm down.
He passed the ball to Bruno Fernandes in the middle, and Rice pressed forward, drawing Camavinga's attention.
Bruno advanced with the ball, facing Tchouaméni, whose strong physique compressed Bruno's space for control.
Again, not focusing the attack on the left, Bruno subtly passed the ball to the right.
Antony, having received a yellow card, had completely calmed down. Facing Alaba again, he didn't force it, decisively passed to the middle, and made a reverse run.
At the top of the box, Gao Nuo received the ball. Antonio Rüdiger in front of him showed no intention of pressing up, always ready to cover Antony.
Bellingham had already closed in from behind.
Gao Nuo now needed to make a choice: shoot himself or pass back to Antony.
Just as Antonio Rüdiger was anticipating Gao Nuo's choice, Gao Nuo was also anticipating his opponent's anticipation.
Until Bellingham had already made his move from behind.
Antony was on the verge of being offside.
Militão had already moved to the center.
Antonio Rüdiger moved, stepping one pace to the left. He clearly believed that Bellingham's pressure was sufficient, and Gao Nuo would definitely thread a pass into the box.
Gao Nuo also moved. He was too familiar with Antonio Rüdiger, knowing that the latter would definitely stall for time, waiting for Militão to arrive, and then cover the more threatening wing.
Gao Nuo jutted out his backside to push away Bellingham behind him, lightly nudged the ball with his left foot, followed with his right foot stepping down heavily, and quickly swung his raised left foot forward.
A powerful shot from the top of the box, with a slight outside-of-the-foot curl, threaded between Antonio Rüdiger and Militão, flying towards the goal.
Courtois reacted quickly, diving to the left side of the goal. He stretched out his arms and legs in the air, first spreading his body, and then began to track the ball's trajectory.
"Here!"
Seeing the ball clearly, Courtois clenched his left hand into a fist, punching the ball out for a goal kick.
"Oh—!!!"
A sound of regret fell, and Manchester United fans rose from their seats, beginning to cheer for their team.
Bruno Fernandes stood at the corner flag, looked at the crowded penalty area, and gestured to Rice, who was lurking outside the top of the box.
"Manchester United's tactical corner kick, Bruno sends a ground pass to Rice, a chance for a long shot."
"Rice doesn't shoot, he passes the ball back to Bruno, who lobs it into the box."
"Gao Nuo jumps up, a header! Courtois makes a goal-line save, still a chance!"
"Süle takes a follow-up shot, and Courtois blocks it out again."
"Is there more?"
"Gao Nuo!"
"Oh, what a pity! Courtois was too quick, getting down twice in a row to smother the ball."
"Gao Nuo looks a bit frustrated on camera. Manchester United's continuous missed opportunities here will come at a cost."
Zhan Jun's voice carried disappointment. Courtois's magnificent triple save was like a splash of cold water on Manchester United's heads.
In the 42nd minute, Bruno Fernandes received a pass and was tackled.
Tchouaméni and Camavinga attacked from front and back, and Bruno Fernandes struggled to get the ball out.
Things did not go as planned. Bruno moved the ball back and forth, evading his opponents' tackles once, twice, but not the third time.
Tchouaméni poked the ball forward, and Camavinga immediately advanced with it, leaving a dejected Bruno standing alone.
Manchester United retreated, each player marking the opponent in front of him, even Gao Nuo rushed back towards his own half.
Camavinga evaded Rice's tackle, and in the struggle, passed the ball to the right.
Bellingham received the ball, with Casemiro at his back, pulled the ball and turned, creating space for a pass, and continued to pass the ball to the right.
Rodrygo didn't stop the ball. Before receiving it, he had already seen Luke Shaw fiercely closing in, so he kicked the ball forward and quickly chased after it.
"Rice, fall back!"
Pau Torres saw his teammate being dispossessed and bypassed, and while moving towards the ball, he shouted for his teammate to cover.
This shout was very timely. Rodrygo's path into the box was blocked, and the onrushing Bellingham was blocked by Rice.
Rodrygo dared not delay; Luke Shaw was about to catch up from behind. He looked up at the penalty area and crossed the ball.
"Far post!"
Harry Kane immediately judged the landing spot, pulling at Süle, who was also moving towards the far post. The two pulled and tugged, entangled with each other.
Nübel also moved towards the left side of the goal. This pass had a curve and could not be directly intercepted, so he chose to block the near post immediately.
The ball flew over the heads of Kane and Süle. Both had put all their strength into close-quarters combat and didn't have time to run to the far post.
Nübel remained vigilant, as Vinicius and Vanderson were charging in together.
In this scramble, Vanderson occupied a favorable position, waiting in advance at the ball's landing spot, ready to clear it away.
"Watch out!"
Nübel saw Vinicius behind Vanderson, a bad feeling in his heart, and rushed out of the goal.
In just a moment, Vanderson couldn't see behind him, only his own goalkeeper rushing forward, his mind a bit confused.
"Why is he trying to steal it from me?"
Before he could clear his mind, the ball was about to drop, and he began to exert force in his waist, preparing for a big kick.
A dark leg stretched out from behind Vanderson, poking the ball a step ahead.
Vinicius was airborne. After an aerial poke shot, to avoid Vanderson, he forcefully twisted his body in the air, then fell to the ground on his side.
Nübel's judgment was excellent; rushing out allowed him to block a larger angle.
This shot had no technique to speak of; one could say it was entirely by chance.
And just like that, the ball hit Nübel's knee and then bounced into the goal!
Goal!
Vinicius, who was lying on the ground, suddenly jumped up, ran towards the corner flag, and roared to the sky.
"Roar—!!!"
Real Madrid fans responded with an even louder roar. The 2:0 score made their blood boil.
"Hey, this goal was absolutely brilliant, and it also showed us how fluid Real Madrid's counter-attack is. A few simple passes completely influenced the opponent's defensive movements, and finally, Vinicius, with his individual skill, scored a wonder goal."
"That's right, how should I put this goal? Vinicius's desperate scramble paid off. The goal might require some luck, but everything done before the shot is the fundamental reason for completing the goal."
Zhan Jun and Zhang were explaining the second goal, while the live stream's bullet comments were already scrolling continuously.
"Zhan Jun, please shut up. Every time you say Manchester United is in danger, Real Madrid scores."
"This goal is beyond words, Little Bear played beautifully!"
"Damn, now that you mention it, it's true. This is pure poison. Why don't you give Gao Nuo some praise!"
"Oh, come on. Manchester United played too poorly in the first half. Only conceding two, I'm already burning incense."
"Zhan Jun is a jinx! Start flooding the comments to make him shut up quickly!"
"Jinx!"
"Stop being a jinx!"
"Stop being a jinx!"
""