SWR: Chapter 909/911

Chapter 909: Barcelona Wins Again

Midnight on September 15, Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Sevilla.

When referee Mejuto González blew the final whistle, the entire Pizjuán erupted with thunderous cheers from the home fans. Gao Shen stood in front of the visiting team's technical area, his expression heavy.

0-0. That was the score on the scoreboard.

Both teams recorded 33 shots in total, yet not a single goal was scored.

Real Madrid alone had 25 shots, with nine on target and two hitting the post, all of which were blocked by Sevilla's veteran goalkeeper Andrés Palop.

What else could Gao Shen say?

When the final whistle blew, Sevilla manager Michel, a former member of Real Madrid's famous "Quinta del Buitre," walked over with a smile and extended his hand.

"The way you guys fought tonight was really..." Gao Shen gave a bitter smile and shook his head. He couldn't find the right words.

Michel himself looked slightly embarrassed.

Tonight, he had deployed a midfield trio of Maduro, Medel, and Campaña, clearly aiming to lock down the game with a conservative setup.

Up front, he had Negredo, once a favorite of Gao Shen's during his early coaching days at Real Madrid. On the right, he used the rapid Jesús Navas and Cicinho. That right flank, along with Negredo, caused Real Madrid's defense problems twice.

The first chance came in under a minute, when Navas and Negredo both had opportunities in the box. But Courtois stood firm, and Sevilla missed the chance.

After that, they struggled to create any more clear threats.

The early danger was also linked to Gao Shen's squad selection for this match.

Starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Courtois
Defenders: Marcos Alonso, Varane, Pepe, Carvajal
Midfield: Casemiro (deep-lying), Kroos, Verratti
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Lucas Vázquez

Gao Shen didn't go all-in. He rotated the lineup to give young players more playing time.

In fact, Real Madrid's youngsters played well and showed plenty of energy.

Part of that was due to Sevilla's players returning from international duty, but the Real Madrid youth did their part.

Marcos Alonso and Varane started together for the first time. Aside from the early lapse, they managed to contain Navas on the wing and cut off Negredo's central support for the remainder of the match.

That was no small feat for two young defenders.

Carvajal also demonstrated his attacking threat on the right flank. He linked up well with Vázquez, whose shot hit the post.

Real Madrid had nearly 70% possession and dominated the game, but just couldn't score. What more could they do?

Ronaldo was clearly off-form and became visibly frustrated toward the end.

Gao Shen substituted him in the second half for Higuaín, but the Argentine striker also struck the post and failed to continue his streak of scoring off the bench in three straight matches this season.

…

"Barcelona won again. You'd better be ready for the pressure," Michel said with a sigh.

Though now Sevilla's manager, Michel remained a Real Madrid legend and had previously managed the club's B team. He had a good relationship with Gao Shen and the two had worked together many times before.

There had even been talk of bringing him back to the Bernabéu as Gao Shen's assistant.

Now, he had managed to hold Real Madrid to a draw at home.

"No pressure. It's just part of the job. We've got another away game next Wednesday. How can I not rotate?" Gao Shen replied.

Michel nodded. "The media won't see it that way though."

"Let them think what they want. I need to give these young players game time, so they can adapt to the pace and grow quickly. We need to establish an effective rotation system to compete on two fronts. The first-choice lineup alone can't sustain us for a whole season."

From Gao Shen's promotion of academy players and recall of Marcos Alonso this summer, it was clear he was focusing on internal development.

In the first three rounds, with matches only once a week, he hadn't been able to rest his starters. But now, things were different.

Tonight, the real issue was bad luck.

If just one of those two shots that hit the post had gone in, they'd have won.

What could he do?

If players who play in international fixtures, especially those traveling from South America, aren't rotated, the younger players will lose motivation and morale.

But rotating players also had its risks—like now, falling four points behind Barcelona.

Still, Gao Shen chalked it up to bad luck. Real Madrid's overall performance wasn't poor.

"Keep going," Michel offered some encouragement.

Gao Shen smiled and thanked him. "Don't worry. Our main objective is to stay close to Barcelona in the table. We can't let the gap widen. We need to stay in that leading group to compete for the title."

"You've seen what this group of young players can do. If we keep training them and wait for them to mature, our depth will improve and we'll hit our stride."

That's why Gao Shen believed this Real Madrid team had great potential.

Many only saw that Real Madrid dropped two points away at Sevilla. They didn't see that Gao Shen deployed two entirely different tactical systems during the match.

The first was the 4-3-3, the main tactic he'd been developing. The second was a 4-3-1-2, with Isco playing as the central attacking midfielder—the "1"—freely roaming and performing well.

Gao Shen had tested this system in friendlies, but this was the first time using it in a competitive fixture.

In the second half, Sevilla were exhausted, but still defended well.

Higuaín's shot that struck the post came from a penetrating pass after Isco's dribble.

…

As expected, Barcelona beat Getafe 4-1 away from home, maintaining a perfect record and sitting atop the standings.

Real Madrid's league position dropped to fourth, behind Atlético Madrid and Málaga.

Even more interestingly, Getafe had previously drawn 0-0 with Real Madrid at home—same stadium, same opponent, just two rounds apart.

After the match, many reporters confronted Gao Shen.

Gao Shen didn't dodge the criticism. He took full responsibility.

"The rotation was my decision. We've got another away game on Wednesday, in Germany, and I have to prepare for that. So I rested some players who had long international trips or logged heavy minutes for their national teams."

He explained the reasoning clearly.

But he didn't believe Real Madrid played poorly in this match.

"A draw away to Sevilla is not a bad result, in my opinion. In fact, I think it's quite decent."

"Instead of focusing purely on the result, I'd rather see my players making the most of every minute on the pitch and working hard to create chances."

He mentioned several names, including Carvajal, praising the young right-back for his impressive speed, technique, and attacking ability.

Vázquez was noted for his effort and tenacity. Gao Shen said he was a player worth keeping an eye on.

Varane didn't need much commentary. When Verratti came on, he helped stabilize possession and rhythm in midfield. Though Casemiro made some mistakes, his overall performance was still commendable.

"His physicality, duels, and defensive contribution make him a player worth watching."

"Isco impressed me the most tonight. He's the kind of player who can break the deadlock. Unfortunately, we were just unlucky."

Gao Shen didn't shy away from acknowledging that some players didn't perform well.

"But this group of young players is still developing. I see them every day, and I can clearly tell they're improving and growing. I believe they are the future of Real Madrid!"

Compared to his explosive showing in the previous round, Jesé's performance this time was average. But Gao Shen understood.

Young players can't be expected to shine in every match. Ups and downs were normal.

"I still believe it's too early to say who will win the league. We'll prove our strength."

…

The media reaction to Real Madrid's draw was mixed.

Outlets close to the club were generally more forgiving. They felt it was an acceptable result, especially considering the heavy rotation.

In particular, the young players had shown promising signs.

Alfredo, editor-in-chief of AS, supported Gao Shen's approach. He argued the league was a marathon and that it wasn't worth overextending the starters this early.

"Real Madrid's job now is to maintain pressure on Barcelona while giving young players more minutes and accumulating strength for the future."

He reminded everyone that the season had only just begun.

However, many others argued that Real Madrid falling four points behind Barcelona after just four rounds could jeopardize their title hopes.

Worse yet, the team hadn't looked particularly convincing.

Two wins and two draws in four matches meant they were still unbeaten, but both wins came at home. Both away games had ended in draws.

"It's hard to believe this is Real Madrid, one of Spain's two footballing giants, and a title contender."

The Catalan media, as expected, ramped up the hype. Messi had scored twice again, matching Ronaldo's tally and reigniting the battle between the two superstars.

In the Sevilla match, Ronaldo's sullen expression after being subbed was interpreted as dissatisfaction with the coach, especially in light of earlier rumors of tension between him and Gao Shen.

Gao Shen remained low-key amid the media noise. In private talks with Ronaldo, he asked the Portuguese forward not to make any public statements, to avoid giving reporters more material to sensationalize.

Up next was a crucial away match against Dortmund—a must-win.

And Dortmund were in red-hot form, having just beaten Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 at home in the Bundesliga's third round.

Klopp's side would be a serious test!

(To be continued.)

Chapter 910: Brothers in Distress

What should a team do when it lacks the confidence to win and must face a strong opponent away from home?

This is a tough question every Champions League manager must answer.

Fighting on two fronts while also dealing with international duties creates overwhelming pressure, leaving no room to breathe.

There's not even space for hesitation.

The wisest strategy is to prioritize stability.

Just as military positions constantly shift and water changes shape, football tactics must be adaptable.

Refusing to adjust your tactics without the confidence to dominate is simply reckless.

So, in this away match against Dortmund, Gao Shen opted for a defensive and counterattacking approach.

He knew Klopp would try to drag Real Madrid into a high-intensity, attritional battle. But Real Madrid couldn't afford that kind of fight.

Ramos had returned from international duty with an injury.

Gao Shen originally planned to rest him against Sevilla, but the injury flared up during training. The team doctor ruled him out, so Gao Shen had to start Varane in his place.

The French center-back had performed well in the Sevilla match.

Higuaín, Benzema, and Xabi Alonso all came back carrying knocks—not severe enough to sideline them entirely, but enough to affect their form.

This partly explained the draw against Sevilla.

But such things are difficult to explain clearly.

Professional football has no sympathy for the weak. The media only adds fuel to the fire.

So when facing Dortmund away, Gao Shen took a pragmatic approach and played it safe.

A draw on the road would have been satisfactory.

Going all out to attack Dortmund at this stage would have been unwise.

If Real Madrid wanted to attack, they could wait until they were back at the Bernabéu.

As many had said, after three years in Serie A, Gao Shen's defensive capabilities had improved. When he truly wanted to defend, even with three technical midfielders on the pitch, breaking down Real Madrid wasn't easy.

Dortmund maintained their signature high press, constantly pushing Real Madrid back. But Real Madrid relied on their technical superiority, using passing, possession, and tempo to pull Dortmund out of shape.

But Klopp's team never seemed to run out of energy.

In the first half, Real Madrid's best chance came from a long ball over the top.

Varane intercepted a pass and quickly released Toni Kroos, who sent a direct ball over the defense. Ronaldo broke through and scored with a one-on-one finish.

But the referee immediately blew for offside.

Everyone on the Real Madrid bench was furious. Gao Shen loudly protested from the sideline, insisting Ronaldo had been onside.

At halftime, Gao Shen even showed the referee replays from the live broadcast, which clearly showed Ronaldo was onside.

But what could they do?

In the second half, Dortmund began to tire and their attacking rhythm slowed. Real Madrid gradually improved, but Di María wasted a golden one-on-one opportunity.

Time passed quickly as both sides used up all three substitutions.

Just when it looked like Real Madrid would escape with a 0-0 draw, disaster struck in the 88th minute.

Dortmund launched a lightning-quick counterattack. Captain Sebastian Kehl played a diagonal ball, and Marco Reus sprinted past Marcelo on the left.

Pepe stepped up to close him down. Xabi Alonso dropped into the back line, partnering Varane to mark Lewandowski.

At the critical moment, Reus pulled the ball back to the edge of the area. Piszczek, arriving late, chipped a cross from the right corner of the penalty area.

Xabi Alonso got to the spot first, but he mistimed his clearance and missed the ball.

Lewandowski took a step forward, used his body to shield Varane, and smashed it in from close range.

1-0!

…

Lewandowski again!

Gao Shen's expression on the touchline darkened.

In last season's Champions League group stage, it was Lewandowski's goal that eliminated Real Madrid.

Now, in their first meeting this season, the Polish striker struck again.

And once again, it was in the 88th minute.

Gao Shen couldn't help but feel like fate was toying with him.

Real Madrid had endured Dortmund's high press for nearly ninety minutes, only to concede at the end due to one mistake.

"Xabi was probably affected by his injury," Zidane said.

Gao Shen nodded. He understood. Xabi Alonso had come back carrying a knock.

"Does this count as a bad start?" Gao Shen asked.

Zidane, Hierro, and Carlo exchanged glances and gave bitter smiles.

Of course.

They had just lost their opening match in the Champions League group stage, conceding in the final minutes.

"Actually, our performance in these two games wasn't bad," Zidane said.

"I know," Gao Shen replied. "But not good enough."

Professional football is brutally realistic.

Performance means nothing if the result doesn't follow.

Real Madrid had played well, but compared to Dortmund, it wasn't enough.

Judging by squad quality, Real Madrid had the advantage. But Dortmund's tactical system was more mature, and their teamwork more fluid.

Klopp had also clearly prepared thoroughly for this match.

But that wasn't the point.

The point was, Real Madrid came away with zero points. That drastically reduced their margin for error in the group stage, especially against Manchester City.

Real Madrid were capable of competing with City, but it would be a high-risk battle.

If they had drawn or beaten Dortmund, the pressure would've eased considerably before facing City.

"By the way, is it still 0-0 in the Manchester City game?" Gao Shen asked.

While Real Madrid visited Dortmund, Manchester City were away to Porto. Both were on the road.

Carlos Vargado quickly checked the live scores and replied in surprise, "Manchester City is behind."

"What? Really?" Hierro was shocked.

"In the 84th minute, Fernando assisted James Rodríguez for a goal. 1-0. Porto leads," said Vargado.

Everyone turned to look at Gao Shen again.

At that moment, Gao Shen didn't know what kind of expression to make.

Happy?

A little. Manchester City were also losing.

Pity?

Yes. If Real Madrid had beaten Dortmund, the situation would look very different.

Worried?

Absolutely. This group was truly a group of death.

Especially this season's group.

Manchester City and Dortmund were both good enough to reach the Champions League final. Who wouldn't be afraid?

It served as a warning to every team. Relax even a little and you might be punished.

This was a super group of death!

Even a powerhouse like Manchester City had stumbled. So why couldn't Real Madrid?

…

Gao Shen's Real Madrid and Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City both lost their opening away matches in the group stage.

The two teams, suffering together, were questioned and even criticized by their respective media after the matches.

Pellegrini's situation was predictable. Replacing Gao Shen meant any poor result would bring scrutiny.

Manchester City had declined slightly since last season's peak. Their performance had dipped noticeably. With so many big stars in the squad, Pellegrini was under enormous pressure.

Most notably, the squad rotation system that Gao Shen managed so well no longer worked under Pellegrini.

How do you rotate superstars?

Still, Manchester City remained strong. The Blue Moon were still favorites.

Real Madrid's situation was more complex.

Losing their first Champions League group match and drawing twice in the league wasn't a great start, but it wasn't catastrophic either. The results didn't meet expectations, but they weren't a disaster.

For a team going through a coaching change and structural transition, this was understandable.

But the partnership between Gao Shen and Real Madrid had created such high expectations that no one wanted to accept the current results.

Once again, Gao Shen took full responsibility at the post-match press conference.

He acknowledged that international duty had an impact.

"It's clear that players return from national teams in worse condition than they left. It's a reality."

"I've been searching for a solution, but haven't found one yet. It reminds me of a line from Wenger."

Gao Shen smiled and shared one of Wenger's jokes.

"I had a car filled with gas. Then a bunch of criminals stole it, drove it until the tank was empty, and returned it broken—without even fixing it."

The joke lightened the mood.

Gao Shen admitted that Real Madrid was facing difficulties. National team games were just one issue. There were internal problems as well.

"I never run from problems. I see what's wrong, and I'm working on it. It's nothing serious. I believe we'll soon climb out of this and perform better."

He also gave high praise to his former protégé, Klopp.

"He's undoubtedly one of the best coaches in Europe. Dortmund are one of the most competitive teams in the Champions League."

"But it's cruel. Dortmund, Manchester City, Porto, and us—four teams fully capable of qualifying—got drawn into the same group."

"We have to fight it out in the group stage. Only two can advance."

Gao Shen again expressed confidence in his team.

"We'll be one of them!"

He declined to comment on British media criticism of Pellegrini, Manchester City's poor form, or their loss to Porto. He had no intention of answering questions not related to Real Madrid.

Three days later, on the weekend, Real Madrid would visit Rayo Vallecano.

So far this season, they had played three away games, drawing two and losing one. Still winless.

Interestingly, Rayo had one win and one draw in their two home games so far, including a draw with Sevilla.

Looking at the schedule, Real Madrid had really drawn the short straw.

Two matches per week, the Champions League group of death, three straight away games—no team could breeze through that.

Gao Shen smiled and said, "This time, we have no choice. We must win."

"We're four points behind Barcelona. That's still manageable, but we can't let the gap grow any further."

His words made it clear—Real Madrid were still aiming to win La Liga.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 911: Real Madrid Scored a Goal

September 24, Vallecas Stadium, southeast Madrid.

It was 19:30, almost time to walk out onto the pitch.

Gao Shen led his coaching staff from the coaches' lounge into the players' dressing room, clapping his hands loudly to get everyone's attention.

Real Madrid's players were experienced. All pre-match preparations had already been completed.

Now, it was time for the head coach's final pre-match talk.

This was the routine for every team before every match.

Although Vallecas Stadium was located in the Spanish capital, it was a modest ground. Rayo Vallecano did not have much financial power, their facilities were basic, and the locker room was cramped, making the players feel as though they were boxed in tightly within the concrete structure.

"Tonight can be considered a derby."

Gao Shen opened with a joke.

Of course, no one really thought of Real Madrid versus Rayo Vallecano as a derby.

The two teams were not on the same level. Even Getafe weren't seen as true rivals by Real Madrid.

Still, both Getafe and Rayo Vallecano had benefited greatly from Real Madrid's youth academy. In that sense, it was a win-win relationship.

Many clubs that seem to be competitive rivals actually maintain unique relationships behind the scenes.

On the pitch and off it, the lines are blurred. That's what professionalism is.

"So far this season, we've played five games, with two wins, two draws, and one loss. What's funny is that people think we're in crisis just because we lost away to Dortmund."

"In the last round, we drew away to Sevilla."

"That makes it three away games so far—two draws and one loss. Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano have one win and one draw at home. So…"

Gao Shen didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to. The players understood exactly what he meant.

The whole world thought Real Madrid were in trouble.

And it wasn't entirely without reason. The intense fixture congestion hadn't allowed the team any time to recalibrate.

Most fans don't realize that back-to-back away matches during such a tight schedule are a nightmare for any club.

The players returning from international duty had only one day to train before the team left for Seville.

The coaching staff had to check each player's physical condition, injury status, and fatigue levels. The biggest issue with international matches wasn't the games themselves, but the long travel and jet lag.

The team also needed to train together again. After being apart for more than two weeks, a few joint sessions were necessary to regain tactical cohesion.

And just like that, time vanished.

After the Sevilla match, the team had only two days in Madrid.

The next morning, there was recovery training. Then, tactical adjustments and team drills, and straightaway, they were on the road again.

Gao Shen hadn't even had time to organize specific tactical sessions for Dortmund.

That was why he said, after the game, that the team had performed well.

Some might criticize him for making excuses. Every top team deals with intense schedules and multiple away fixtures.

That's true, but Real Madrid's case was different—they were undergoing a restructuring period.

If he were still at Manchester City, Gao Shen wouldn't be fazed by these challenges. The players there already understood his ideas and knew exactly what was expected of them.

But at Real Madrid, it wasn't that simple—at least, not yet.

The players understood this.

No one knew better than them why they had drawn with Sevilla and lost to Dortmund. They were well aware of their own performances.

But Gao Shen had shouldered the responsibility alone.

"I won't demand that you destroy the opponent," Gao Shen said firmly, "even though it looks like we don't have any other choice. But honestly, I haven't felt any pressure. No one's put pressure on me."

He looked around at the players, confident and calm.

"I firmly believe you're the best players in the world. Your goal isn't Rayo Vallecano, or even just La Liga. I know what you're aiming for. So I don't need to pressure you. You're already pushing yourselves harder than I ever could."

"So, as always, I'll say this again—relax. Don't be nervous. If we play our normal game, with the quality we have, we'll win. Understand?"

"Enjoy the match. Enjoy the process. And remember…"

Gao Shen extended his right hand, moving it across the squad, finally stopping at Di María, Ronaldo, and Benzema.

"Angel, Ronnie, Karim—remember what I told you: left, left, left!"

Almost at that moment, the bell rang. Time to head out.

Gao Shen clapped his hands sharply, signaling it was time to move.

He stood at the dressing room door as usual, exchanging high-fives and hugs with every player to give them a final boost.

…

As soon as the referee blew the opening whistle, Real Madrid, who kicked off, launched their first wave of attacks.

Marcelo took the initiative, bursting down the left flank. After receiving a pass from a teammate, he dribbled past two defenders and sent a ball down the wing. However, Ronaldo failed to reach it in time, and it went out for a goal kick.

This highlighted one of Real Madrid's current issues.

Under Mourinho, players often stayed in position. But Gao Shen emphasized movement.

Only through movement could passing options open up. But movement also loosens the defensive structure.

The key then was how to transition quickly from attack to defense and reorganize effectively.

The clever solution? Immediate counter-pressing after losing possession.

This is already a mature football concept.

But many of Real Madrid's players still hadn't adapted to it. Positioning was inconsistent.

Toni Kroos, however, surprised Gao Shen.

His adaptability was remarkable. Once Gao Shen explained a concept, Kroos understood it instantly and adapted without issues.

He had played as an attacking midfielder at Bayern and as a left-sided playmaker at Leverkusen. Now, Gao Shen had him operating on the left of midfield. The German adjusted effortlessly and executed his role flawlessly.

That was no coincidence. It was a testament to his intelligence and technical strength.

In the 2nd minute, Kroos switched play to the right with a pinpoint diagonal pass.

Arbeloa received and pushed the ball forward. Di María dribbled and was fouled by a Getafe defender.

There was no avoiding it. Di María's runs were too dangerous.

Real Madrid earned a free-kick just two minutes in.

Xabi Alonso and Kroos stood over the ball. Ramos, Pepe, Ronaldo, and others positioned themselves in the box.

Kroos quickly stepped up and whipped in a diagonal cross with his right foot, sending it to the near side of the six-yard box.

Ramos surged forward and met the delivery with a powerful header.

The ball went in!

"Less than three minutes in, and Real Madrid have taken the lead!!!"

The players erupted in celebration, running across the pitch with joy.

A large contingent of Real Madrid fans in the stands rose to cheer.

Behind Gao Shen, the coaching staff jumped up in celebration.

It was a beautifully executed set piece!

"Since joining Real Madrid from Bayern, Toni Kroos has dropped deeper into midfield, but his vision, awareness, technique, and passing range have all been showcased."

"So far this season, his performances have been steady, and Gao Shen clearly has great trust in him."

"You have to admire Gao Shen's eye for talent—especially his ability to develop and utilize players."

…

Play resumed.

After scoring early, Real Madrid controlled the tempo and played with composure.

Ten minutes later, Getafe tried an attack outside the penalty area, but Real Madrid had set their defensive line high.

Getafe attempted a long ball over the top, but Pepe headed it clear.

Xabi Alonso picked up the loose ball and directed it left to Marcelo, who sent it forward.

Ronaldo received it and launched a counterattack. Spotting Di María making a diagonal run, the two wingers combined.

The Portuguese fed a pass behind Rayo's defense. Di María sprinted into space.

Many forget—he's a left-footed player!

As Di María collected the ball at the edge of the box, he suddenly halted inside the area. After freezing the defenders, he burst to the byline and drilled a low cross to the center.

The ball slipped between the defender's legs and rolled across the goalmouth.

Benzema, who had been lurking on the edge of the area, pounced and tapped it into an open net.

2-0!

Real Madrid fans erupted once more.

Di María, Benzema, and Ronaldo all raced to the touchline to celebrate.

The positional interchanges—this was what Gao Shen had stressed in the locker room. Focus attacks on the left.

Such fluid switching of roles caused chaos for the defenders.

Benzema, typically operating centrally, didn't make the run. As a right-footed player, he lacked top-end pace. Di María, on the other hand, had blistering speed, intricate footwork, and excellent one-on-one ability.

Treating Di María the same as Benzema would always be a mistake.

…

In the 19th minute, Real Madrid, having already netted twice, continued to control the game.

But Getafe started making their own mistakes.

Ramos cleared the ball from deep and sent a long ball toward Benzema. Under pressure, Getafe's center-back misjudged the clearance and failed to clear properly.

Suddenly, the ball fell to Benzema.

Despite being surrounded by three defenders, he calmly shifted the ball right and laid it off to Di María.

The Argentine collected the ball just outside the top-right corner of the penalty area. One-on-one, he had options—cut inside and shoot, or take on the defender wide.

Di María glanced up, feinted once, then suddenly shifted the ball inside. He curled in a cross with his left foot, arcing it toward the far post.

Ronaldo charged forward and met the delivery with a left-footed volley, blasting the ball past the goalkeeper at close range.

3-0!

The Portuguese winger spread his arms wide and sprinted in celebration, soaring like an Iberian eagle in full flight.

(To be continued.)