Süle's header had enough power, but the angle was too central, and Courtois blocked it back in front of the goal with a single palm.
"Get in there!"
Gao Nuo threw himself to the ground a step ahead, and with the advantage of his long legs, he poked the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Courtois, who had just gotten up from the ground, sat back down, looking at the ball in the net with a hint of helplessness.
It was too fast. From the first block to Gao Nuo's shot, Courtois only had time to stand up.
Gao Nuo, having equalized the score, sprinted towards the sideline like the wind, performing a passionate knee slide, leaving two streaks on the Munich Football Arena.
Zhan Jun and Zhang began their commentary.
"Beautiful! Gao Nuo scores twice within 10 minutes, helping Manchester United equalize the score."
"Oh, that follow-up shot was incredibly quick-witted. Gao Nuo's height didn't make him clumsy; instead, it highlighted the advantage of his long legs!"
"Exactly! Süle's shot was blocked, and Gao Nuo's diving follow-up shot found the net. His reaction speed was astonishing!"
Manchester United fans' comments finally started flooding the screen.
"The great Scavenger King is back! Who can compete with him?"
"Where are the haters now? Look who scored a brace?"
"He's caught up to Mbappé! Gao Nuo is incredible!"
"Don't rush, there's still half an hour left. I believe Gao Nuo can score again. Mbappé will be left in the dust!"
"Gao Nuo, be sensible, leave a Golden Boot for Director Mbappé!"
"Sensible, my foot! Go, Gao Nuo!"
Carlo Ancelotti stood on the sideline, looking at Gao Nuo, who was surrounded by his teammates, with a displeased expression.
"Does this kid always want to slap me in the face? He's not happy unless he causes me trouble? If I don't crush you and then buy you, I might as well retire on the spot!"
As the thought crossed his mind, a flicker of anger appeared on Carlo Ancelotti's face. He turned and walked back to the dugout, called Valverde over, and began drawing on the tactics board.
Erik ten Hag was already excitedly losing his composure, involuntarily punching the air repeatedly in the direction of the Real Madrid goal.
"That's it! Everything's right! Next is defense, just hold them off for me!"
Seeing that the opponent was about to make personnel changes, Erik ten Hag hurried back to his assistant coach, beckoned Lisandro Martínez over, and Manchester United was about to change their formation.
In the 60th minute of the match, Valverde replaced Tchouaméni. Real Madrid removed a defensive midfielder, switching to a three-midfielder parallel formation, with an all-out attack and defense strategy.
Lisandro Martínez replaced Casemiro, appearing in the defensive midfield position. Bruno dropped back, and Rice pushed forward, changing Manchester United's formation to a 4-3-3.
Both teams had come back from being two goals down, but Real Madrid was infinitely stronger than Sheffield United.
There was no sign of a collapse; the players on the field defended more intently and moved more actively.
"Hey, Zhan Jun, have you noticed that Erik ten Hag's move here is a bit like Guardiola's? Lima drops back into the box when defending to form a three-man defense, then pushes up to take on the defensive midfield role when attacking."
Before Zhan Jun could answer, a new situation emerged on the field.
In the 66th minute of the match, Real Madrid launched an attack. Vinicius used his speed to beat Vanderson on the left wing.
Bruno Fernandes came forward to cover. With his rich experience, he didn't rush in but simply blocked the opponent's path for an inside cut.
"Vinicius is coming, very fast. Vanderson is left behind. Bruno covers, very cleverly maintaining distance so he won't be beaten in one step."
Zhan Jun's words had just faded.
Vinicius cut inside, and Bruno Fernandes rushed to challenge.
Vinicius, while dribbling, back-heeled the ball with his left foot, then moved horizontally to the edge of the box.
Süle was marking Harry Kane, his attention focused on the ball.
Lisandro Martínez rushed forward; he wasn't slow.
Harry Kane immediately made a cross-run to the left, drawing Süle away and creating space for his teammate to shoot.
Vinicius kept an eye on the defense, continuously pushing the ball to the right, and before Pau Torres could close him down, he curled a shot towards the top right corner of the goal.
Lisandro Martínez and Pau Torres, one on the left and one on the right, simultaneously stretched out their legs to intercept.
The ball arced between the two of them, flying towards the goal.
Nübel's reaction was equally swift. He took a large step across, then leaped, his outstretched hand blocking the top right corner of the goal.
He didn't touch the ball; Vinicius's shot went wide of the byline.
"Bruno was still beaten in one step. Vinicius back-heeled to change direction, then created space, and his final shot was a bit off target."
"Oh, both the attack and defense were brilliant. Even if that shot hadn't gone wide, Nübel had already covered the top corner. Manchester United's new goalkeeper is getting better and better."
As the situation on the field changed, Manchester United's attacking momentum was suppressed. Both teams, from the score to their morale, were back on the same starting line.
In the 72nd minute of the match, Manchester United had a corner. Bruno sent it into the box. Gao Nuo, who was being double-teamed, fought hard and flicked a header at the near post.
At the right post, Antony's close-range volley flew into the stands.
Antony, who had skied the shot, buried his face in his hands and crouched down. He was as incredulous as all the Manchester United fans present.
In the 77th minute of the match, Real Madrid counter-attacked. Vinicius once again dribbled past Vanderson, carrying the ball into the box.
Facing Süle's cover, Vinicius displayed a series of fancy footwork—dribbling, fake shots, pull-backs—creating space before taking a shot.
The ball flew straight towards the right side of the goal. Nübel made a flying leap, bravely punching the ball away.
The camera panned to De Gea on the sideline, the former goalkeeper's eyes filled with admiration.
The comments section in the Chinese live broadcast room began another wave of nostalgia.
"The director understands football. In the Champions League Final, seeing my De Gea on the bench is truly heartbreaking."
"Go, Manchester United! Let De Gea win a Champions League before he leaves; that would be a perfect ending!"
"De Gea looks at Nübel like he's looking at himself from many years ago!"
"That look is so sad. If there's a penalty shootout, can we send in my De Gea?"
"Don't be silly! Gao Nuo will score another one, and the match will end. Why would we need a penalty shootout?"
In the 81st minute of the match, Manchester United won the ball back in their own half. The substitute, Lisandro Martínez, suddenly charged forward, intercepting Bellingham's cross.
Martínez, with his excellent footwork, immediately sent a long pass to Gao Nuo.
Gao Nuo, with Antonio Rüdiger on his back, skillfully chested the ball down, turned, dribbled past his opponent, and then, with three powerful strides, burst forward, a body length ahead, sprinting like mad.
At the edge of the box, Militão was ready and waiting.
"I can't delay this ball, I have to go for it!"
Considering Antonio Rüdiger behind him, and to avoid being caught in a pincer movement, Gao Nuo stopped abruptly, dribbled one step to the left, pressed against Militão, and unleashed a surprise shot.
The left-footed shot had immense power, and the ball, with almost no spin, flew towards the goal like a cannonball.
Courtois had read the direction correctly and dove sideways.
"Oh no!"
"Thud!"
His outstretched right hand didn't touch the ball. Courtois's heart tightened, but the sound that followed brought him a sense of relief.
The ball hit the post and bounced out for a goal kick.
