Chapter 23 Mexico

Mexico's situation in the World Cup is very similar to Arsenal's Champions League record over the years.

The Round of 16 World Cup curse and the Round of 16 Champions League curse.

From 1994 to 2014, Mexico never missed a World Cup, but always fell in the Round of 16.

This champion from the North, Central America, and the Caribbean region has wildly fluctuating combat effectiveness.

They can beat top South American teams like Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

Or lose to Central American minnows like Jamaica.

The biggest star in the lineup is "Little Pea" Hernandez.

But in terms of popularity, Mexican goalkeeper Ochoa became a god in the 2014 World Cup, becoming popular all over the internet. Fans affectionately call him: the Mexican Francis Ng.

June 21st.

Kazan Arena, on the banks of the Kazanka River.

This stadium and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium were designed by the same design company: Populous.

Populous excels at integrating architectural appearance with local culture.

The highlands on the banks of the Volga River are full of Islamic atmosphere, which adds a touch of green to the top of the Kazan Arena's exterior.

Fans from all over the world quickly filled the 40,000+ seats.

Different languages converged into a passionate torrent.

Command area.

Miniano worriedly said, "Boss, Li's injury..."

Bosque looked calm and smiled: "The team doctor said there is no problem, and Li himself said there is no problem, so there is no problem."

"Ctv5! Ctv5! Hello, audience friends."

"Now broadcasting the second round of the 2017 Confederations Cup group stage."

"Mexico vs. Spain."

"The Aztec Eagles meet the Matador Corps!"

"What kind of sparks will the two collide with?"

"Let's wait and see!"

"Now let me introduce the starting lineups of both sides."

"Mexico's formation is 4-3-3."

"Goalkeeper: Ochoa."

"Defenders: Layun, Moreno, Reyes, Salcedo."

"Midfielders: Guardado, Hector, Jonathan."

"Forwards: Hernandez, Jimenez, Vela."

Livestream room.

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[Pea Shooter!]

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[This lineup is more difficult to deal with than Russia; a tough nut to crack.]

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[Mexico's style of play is too unique and attracts fans. In the first leg, they defeated New Zealand. All the players can run and grab, and they can drill like seven or eight loaches!]

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[America's Arsenal is not a false name.]

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[The shortcoming is: short.]

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[Ochoa is so awesome in the national team, why can't he play in the top five European leagues?]

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[He played in La Liga for a season, was blown up, his worth plummeted, and he will play in the Belgian league next season.]

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[Some players perform mediocrely in the club but can perform exceptionally in the national team.]

"Spain's formation is 4-5-1!"

"Goalkeeper: De Gea."

"Defenders: Carvajal, Pique, Ramos, Alba."

"Midfielders: Busquets, Saul, Li Kang, Koke, Fabregas."

"Forward: Diego Costa."

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[Why do I suddenly feel that the Spanish lineup has become luxurious?]

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[There is a shiny thing mixed in.]

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[Li Mingdeng is back.]

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[With Li Mingdeng on the field, I feel that this lineup can win the Champions League if it is well-integrated.]

Beep!

The game officially begins.

Diego Costa passes the ball back to Li Kang.

Mexican forwards quickly cross the center circle and spread out a pressing net.

Li Kang touches the ball once.

The ball streaks along the turf to Busquets' feet.

The latter also touches the ball once.

The ball is slowly passed diagonally to Fabregas.

"The Mexican players are very active in high pressing! Running all over the field!"

"The passing rhythm of the Spanish midfield is not fast, very slow, but it can always resolve the opponent's pressing."

"Huh?"

"This running position is very exquisite."

Sideline.

Mexican coach Osorio felt that his team was like punching cotton.

He quickly reminded his disciples to pay attention to the positions of Saul and Koke.

On the other side.

Miniano was very happy. He wanted to raise his hand to direct something, but found that his brain seemed to be half a beat slower than the players on the field.

Bosque sat on the bench with a smiling expression.

"Use whatever style of play you encounter against that style of team."

The style of the game became very strange.

Mexican forwards followed the movement of the ball and ran hard, but couldn't grab the ball.

The rhythm of the Spanish midfield and backfield was very slow, but in one pass after another, the overall formation steadily advanced.

"Little Pea guessed Pique's passing route this time!"

"About to steal the ball!"

"Huh? Let's see how Busquets handles it?"

"Beautiful!"

"He touched the ball with his right foot first, pulled it back slightly, made a fake turn, deceived Little Pea, and then pulled the ball back with his heel!"

"Immediately pass the ball to Li Kang."

Unconsciously.

The middle of the Spanish overall formation has been pushed to the thirty-meter area of the Mexican half.

The moment Li Kang received the ball with his back to the goal, Jimenez and Hector double-teamed him at the same time.

Pull the ball.

Turn around.

Pass the ball.

Pa!

In the blink of an eye, the ball rolled to Fabregas' feet.

"Triangle!"

"The constantly changing La Masia triangle passing point."

"The cooperation between La Masia midfielders is too tacit."

"Telepathy."

"The stability of passing and controlling is extremely strong, even if the opponent presses with more people, it is difficult to complete a steal!"

"The question is!"

"Without Iniesta and David Silva, Cazorla, how should this Spanish team solve the problems of speeding up the advance and breakthrough?"

"Li Kang is rushing up!"

"Delivers a lob pass the moment he receives the ball!"

"Lobbed to Saul, who was pulled to the wing!"

Saul easily defeated Porto star Layun in a one-on-one contest.

Carvajal quickly outflanks.

Just as Mexico was preparing to meet Spain's passing and penetrating attack.

Pa!

The ball rose from the baseline.

Straight into the penalty area.

"When did Ramos rush up?"

"Oops!"

"Back point!"

"Diego Costa!"

Diego Costa was like a bulldozer.

He squeezed away Salcedo and Jonathan with his body, and volleyed his leg!

Bang!

After the ball came into contact with the back of his foot, it shot out!

Turned into a black shadow.

Attacked the upper right corner of the Mexican goal.

Ochoa tried his best to save, but to no avail.

0:1!

The whole place was boiling.

Warm applause instantly drowned the entire Kazan Arena.

"Too simple."

"Boiling a frog in warm water."

"Spain's overall advancement rhythm tends to be flat, and the clear mark of passing and controlling makes a fatal blow with a cross from the baseline."

"No problem!"

"Carvajal assists, Diego Costa volleys!"

"Spain takes the lead!"

Livestream room.

Barrage flying.

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[Three-dimensional attack!]

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[Will Li Mingdeng sweat if he continues to play like this?]

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[Saul and Koke, Carvajal will sweat.]

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[What about the short pass penetration? Why did Spain's style change after Li Mingdeng passed the ball to Saul?]

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[Midfield core - Li Mingdeng.]

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[It plays like a combination of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. The overall rhythm is in a straight line, advancing to the forty-meter area, and then deciding on the offensive method based on the changes in the opponent's defense.]

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[Layun shouldn't have been so impulsive and lost his position to steal.]

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[Is passing and controlling alive again?]