Voss could not help but defend himself loudly. At the same time, he kept making diving movements to indicate that Wu Lei was "diving," which meant that he was faking a fall.
However, the referee was not moved at all. He walked directly in front of Voss, reached into his pocket, took out a card, and showed it to Voss.
Only then did everyone see that the card in the referee's hand was actually red!
The home fans in the stadium suddenly booed loudly, and the Valencia players on the field all surrounded the referee. Voss himself was very emotional. He stood in front of the referee and defended himself. His saliva was about to spray on the referee's face.
"Sir! How can this be a red card? "Voss had an innocent look on his face." I didn't even touch him! This Huaxia player is a shameful liar! "
The referee shook his head, then pointed outside the field with a firm gaze, indicating that Voss should stop pestering him and leave the field as soon as possible.
In fact, everyone knew that when the referee made a decision, the possibility of him reversing his decision and changing the decision was extremely low, unless it was a major misjudgment related to a goal, penalty, or a red card. According to the rules, the video assistant referee could remind the referee through the walkie-talkie, but the final decision was still in the hands of the referee.
Like this ball, if there was a problem with the referee's decision, the video assistant referee would remind him through the walkie-talkie. After all, it was a red card decision.
Regardless of the result, every time there was a decision that was not favorable to their team, the players would definitely swarm forward to appeal. At this time, everyone was as innocent as a little white rabbit.
In the PP sports studio in Beijing, Huaxia.
Shen Fangjian said, "I don't know what to argue about this ball. The action of pulling him was so obvious that Wu Lei's jersey was deformed! Wu Lei had a one-on-one chance, and Voss was the last defender other than the goalkeeper. According to the rules, this is definitely a red card! "
Jia Tianning said with some regret, "Xia Ruofei's pass just now could be said to be perfect. It's a pity that such a good one-on-one chance was wasted! Although Valencia paid the price of a red card, they still maintained the lead in the score. In the next twenty minutes, they will definitely be more determined to defend. After all, it's 10 against 11 now. "
Shen Fangjian said, "The most infuriating thing is the location of the foul! If Wu Lei were to advance another ten meters, he would at least be able to get a good free kick. Of course, it would be even better if he could break into the penalty area! But now … this ball is nearly 35 meters away from the goal. This excellent opportunity to score can be said to be far away from the Spaniards! "
On the internet, Huaxia's fans had their imaginations running wild. One of the comments with the most likes was as follows:
Voss didn't do enough homework before the competition! He definitely didn't know about Wu Lei's characteristics! Otherwise, he would have let the ball pass. Instead, he was sent off with a red card …
He was mocking Wu Lei's single-mindedness.
On the field, the Valencia players gradually accepted the result. Voss slowly walked off the field with an aggrieved expression after being persuaded by his teammates. Since it was an irreversible fact that he was sent off, he could only make one last contribution to the team, which was to walk off the field as slowly as possible. It would be good if he could buy some time.
After Voss left the field, he did not go straight to the locker room. Instead, he stood at the entrance of the players' tunnel and looked around.
On the other side, the Spaniards were ready to take the free kick.
In the PP Sports studio, Shen Fangjian said with some surprise, "Xia Ruofei is the one taking the free kick?"
"It looks like it. Only Xia Ruofei is standing in front of the ball alone. There isn't even anyone to cover the fake run," Jia Tianning said.
"I didn't expect Xia Ruofei to become the first free kick taker when he just joined the team!" Shen Fangjian said with a smile.
Jia Tianning said, "The ball is too far away. The possibility of a direct shot is next to nothing. Moreover, from today's game, Xia Ruofei's footwork is outstanding. I reckon that he will be the one to lob the ball into the penalty area. As for whether he will head the ball to the goal or shoot after he recovers, it will depend on the Spaniards' tactical arrangements."
In fact, Jia Tianning was not the only one who thought so. The Valencia players on the field also thought so. They only sent out two players to form a human wall. Most of their forces were concentrated in the penalty area, ready to fight for the first spot.
The Spaniards also sent out a considerable number of players to patrol the penalty area. They looked like they were going to fight for the first spot.
The referee showed the whistle in his hand to Xia Ruofei, indicating that he wanted to hear the whistle for the free kick.
Xia Ruofei smiled and nodded. The referee then ran to the side and blew the whistle.
"Let's take a look at this free kick!" Shen Fangjian said, "Xia Ruofei's run-up distance is not far. It looks like Coach Jia's judgment is right. This ball will not be a direct shot."
For a free kick from such a long distance, if it was a direct shot, the player would have to retreat a sufficient distance. Only by running a sufficient distance could the ball be kicked with sufficient initial speed.
Xia Ruofei had only retreated a few steps. He did not intend to shoot at the goal.
Valencia's goalkeeper, Neto, mainly focused on the penalty area. His biggest advantage in the penalty area was that he could use his hands. As soon as the ball entered the penalty area, he would rush up immediately. It would be best if he could get the ball straight away. If he could not, he would at least kick the ball out of the penalty area and keep it away from the danger zone.
Neto defended the free kick with such thoughts in mind.
After the referee blew the whistle, Xia Ruofei started his run-up.
His run-up speed was not fast, but it had a unique rhythm to it. It was as if every step he took was right on top of his opponent's heart.
The distance of three to four steps was covered in the blink of an eye. Xia Ruofei started to swing his leg. His thigh drove the strength of his calf, and he kicked the ball out with a bang.
The players from both teams in the penalty area started to move. Wu Lei, who was not particularly tall, was near the penalty area. After Xia Ruofei kicked the free kick, Wu Lei immediately rushed towards the goal.
As soon as the ball was kicked out, Valencia's goalkeeper, Neto, had a preliminary judgment. It was too high!
According to the normal trajectory, the ball was too high. No one in the penalty area would be able to reach it, and the ball would most likely fly straight into the stands.
Just as Neto heaved a sigh of relief, he was shocked to find that the ball had started to fall rapidly.
If the ball followed a normal parabola, it would fly out of the end line as it fell.
But now, the parabola seemed to have changed. The upward curve was gentler, but when the ball reached the highest point and fell again, the curve suddenly became a lot steeper. The height of the ball was falling rapidly.
This is not a pass! The thought popped up in Neto's mind.
His body reacted quickly, and he moved to the other side of the goal without hesitation.
As he moved, Neto jumped up. His body was extremely stretched, and his arms were stretched to the straightest.
However, Xia Ruofei's shot was a theoretical dead corner. Neto's position was a little to the left, and it was too late for him to react.
With a swoosh, the ball flew straight into the goal from the corner where the crossbar and the column met!
"The ball is in!" Shen Fangjian roared with passion. "This ball is like a fairy flying out of the sky! A lift ball from 35 meters away! It's unimaginable! I don't know what words to use to describe such a beautiful goal! This night belongs to Huaxia, to Xia Ruofei, and to Wu Lei! "
Even the newly appointed hall master of the Xia Chui Hall, Jia Tianning, did not know how to brag at such a moment. It was the first time he felt that his vocabulary was lacking.
On the major TV stations and broadcasting platforms, the commentators who spoke in various languages were also in a frenzy. They were all racking their brains to find words of praise, but they found that no matter what kind of language, in the face of such a beautiful goal, it was so pale and powerless.
Most of the commentators just kept shouting "goal", using their hoarse voices to express their passion, which infected the fans who were watching the game.
Everyone on the Valencia substitutes' bench held their heads with their hands in unison. They were in disbelief.
In stark contrast, all the players, coaches, and staff on the RCD Espanyol substitutes' bench hugged together and celebrated the goal crazily.
Among them was the RCD Espanyol manager, Ruby.
Although Ruby had seen Xia Ruofei's free kick technique a long time ago and had made arrangements to target it, when Xia Ruofei really used this weapon to score a goal, he still could not suppress the ecstasy in his heart.
This was a priceless goal!
Because of this goal, the RCD Espanyol team once again tenaciously equalized the score.
3 to 3.
Originally, it was supposed to be a game where Valencia was bullying the newbies, but because of the two Huaxia players, Xia Ruofei and Wu Lei, it had turned into a goal war.
Also, when Wu Lei created this free kick, he successfully caused the opponent's main defender to be sent off with a red card. It could be said that the situation on the field had been completely reversed.
When Xia Ruofei stood in front of the ball, Ruby was worried about his gains and losses. The ball was further away, and its position was slightly off. Although Xia Ruofei's accuracy was extremely high at around 30 meters, the difference between 35 meters and 30 meters was not just a small number. In fact, Ruby was not confident that he could hit the ball.
However, reality soon proved that Xia Ruofei's shooting range could be even further. His free kick was like a precision-guided missile!
The moment Xia Ruofei scored, Ruby actually felt a sense of pride. He did not have high hopes for Xia Ruofei's goal of entering the European competition. However, when he realized that he had a killer weapon like Xia Ruofei, this goal did not seem so unattainable anymore.
However, Ruby quickly returned to reality. It was not realistic to let Xia Ruofei play with the team for the rest of the season.
After returning to reality, Ruby quickly cheered up again. No matter how the next game turned out, it was fine as long as this game was satisfying! What's more, RCD Espanyol was not a weakling that everyone could bully. They had the strength to fight against a mid-tier team in the league. Even without Xia Ruofei, their chances of avoiding relegation this season were still very high.
Xia Ruofei also promised to play for the team in some key games, which was enough.
The players on the field were still celebrating wildly. Ruby was already imagining things. If Xia Ruofei could play in the team's game against Barça, would there be any miracles? What could be more exciting than taking a piece of meat from the same city's arch-enemy? Even if this arch-enemy of the same city did not look him in the eye.
RCD Espanyol's players ran to Xia Ruofei, high-fived him, and hugged him. Surrounded by the crowd, Xia Ruofei had become the team's spiritual leader.
Wu Lei, who did not hesitate to plug in the moment Xia Ruofei took the free kick, did not slow down after the football drilled into the net. He rushed straight into the goal. Before the Valencia players could react, he picked up the football and ran quickly to Xia Ruofei.
Many people felt that it was a great achievement to be able to force Valencia to a 3-3 draw in an away game, but Wu Lei felt that it was not enough.
There were still more than ten minutes left. The opponent's morale was greatly reduced, and they were now one player short. Why couldn't they reverse the score?
Xia Ruofei also noticed Wu Lei's actions. He also supported Wu Lei. I didn't show up to play with you guys for a draw!
Therefore, Xia Ruofei quickly asked everyone to speed up and return to their own half of the field.
When they arrived at the center circle, Wu Lei pressed the football in his hand hard on the kickoff point. He then looked at the Valencia fans with a burning desire to fight.
The Valencia players were a little confused. They had not recovered from the blow of conceding the goal, and Wu Lei's action more or less angered them.
Do you really think we are weak?! Since when did RCD Espanyol dare to be so arrogant in our home ground?
Although the score was 3-3, RCD Espanyol's strength was there for all to see. Even though Valencia was now one player short, it was not difficult for them to maintain the score. If their opponent was Barcelona, Real Madrid, or even Atletico Madrid, and the opponent's players could not wait to kick off, perhaps the morale of the Valencia players would take a bigger hit. However, their opponent was RCD Espanyol, so the effect was the opposite.
After Valencia kicked off, the players held back their energy. They ran and tackled in a wider area to make up for the disadvantage of missing one player. Even though everyone was running out of stamina, they gritted their teeth and persevered.
Due to the frustration in their hearts, their defensive actions inevitably became bigger. The referee frequently whistled to stop the game and even showed a yellow card. Only then did the referee manage to suppress the smell of gunpowder on the field.
Of course, Xia Ruofei's free kick alerted the Valencia players, so they controlled themselves and did not commit a foul in the area close to their own goal. The so-called "area close to their own goal" had expanded to more than thirty-five meters.
The time had reached the eighty-fifth minute, and the score on the field was still 3-3.
RCD Espanyol tried to attack a few times, but they were all defended by Valencia tenaciously. They even almost got counterattacked. If it weren't for the fact that Valencia had one less player, which exhausted everyone's stamina, the score might have been changed again.
As time went by, RCD Espanyol's morale, which was boosted by Xia Ruofei's goal, gradually dropped. Especially when the game was about to end, everyone gradually wanted to play it safe.
After all, if the opponent scored at this time, the point in their hands would be gone. In a tie situation, the closer it was to the end of the game, the more cautious both sides would be.
However, Wu Lei was still very active in the front field. As long as his side was attacking, he would spare no effort to run into the gaps. Even if eight out of ten times, the ball did not go in his direction, he was not discouraged at all.
There was also Xia Ruofei. Although he did not seem to have a strong presence in the game and did not touch the ball many times, he was like a sniper in hiding, patiently waiting for the opportunity to pull the trigger.
Xia Ruofei felt that the moment would not be too long away …
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