Chapter 304: Dark Horse Cape Verde Takes a 1:2 Lead, Portugal on the Brink of Elimination

The whistle blew for the second half.

Everyone thought the game would continue the script of the first half.

Portugal was the main attacker, Cape Verde the defender, and the outcome was decided through prolonged siege and attrition.

However, after the kickoff, the situation on the court took a stunning 180-degree turnaround.

Cape Verde has actually pressed all fronts.

They launched a fierce, dog-like press from midfield, pressing forward fiercely across three fronts.

The formation instantly shifted from the conservative 5-4-1 in the first half to a highly attacking 4-3-3.

“My God, what is Cape Verde doing?”

“Are they crazy? Is that ninety-year-old coach crazy to go head-to-head with Portugal?”

Neville’s exclamation rang out from the commentary table, filled with disbelief.

Not only the commentators, but even the Portugal players on the field were completely stunned by the opponent’s sudden lineup change.

Bruno Fernandes had just received the ball in midfield and hadn’t had time to turn around to observe when two fierce-eyed players surrounded him, and the ball was instantly intercepted.

After Cape Verde intercepted the ball, he didn’t hesitate at all and immediately launched a rapid, tidal counterattack.

Their three forwards, carrying deadly threats, charged fiercely into Portugal’s defensive depths exposed by their forward formation.

“Fall back on defense, everyone quickly retreat to defend.”

Pepe shouted hoarsely on the defensive line, her eyes wide open.

But Cape Verde’s counterattacks were too fast, and Portugal’s formation hadn’t fully contracted yet.

The opponent’s attack had already torn through the defense and reached the front line of the penalty area.

Cape Verde’s forward executed a swift two-pass one-one combination with his teammate on the penalty area line.

With a nimble change of direction, he shifted Ruben Dias’s center of gravity and launched a powerful shot.

Fortunately, goalkeeper Diego Costa was highly focused and made an extreme side dungeon to hold the powerful ball tightly in his arms.

“That was close.”

“Cape Verde’s first second-half attack created a huge threat, and their momentum was fully on the ground.”

Pepe and Martínez on the sidelines instantly looked extremely serious

What they feared most still happened.

The old marshal on the other side who seemed on the verge of death was, at heart, a gambler who didn’t play by the rules—a madman.

He was willing to risk being completely beaten to the brutal end of the fight against Portugal.

Because this reckless style often unleashes the most astonishing energy.

In the next ten minutes, the situation on the court completely reversed.

Cape Verde played with great aggression, with players skilled and coordinated on footwork, and their attacking front was full of pressure and aggression.

Every steal was fierce, as if he wanted to devour the opponent alive.

Instead, the star-studded Portugal team was caught off guard by the opponent’s rabid, dog-like offensive.

The defensive line was fraught with danger, and the situation was tense and tense in front of the goal.

55th minute.

Cape Verde launched another attack from the flanks, but the familiar formula was even more deadly.

Their wingers used an astonishing burst speed to break through the exhausted Cancelo and delivered a tricky inverted triangle cross near the byline.

In the penalty area, Ruben Dias was tightly held down by the opposing center.

Then a figure silently spurred his horse and rushed over.

Unmarked, he faced the incoming ball and delivered a calm shot.

The ball precisely passed through everyone’s defense, brushing against goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s desperate fingertips on the turf, and slowly rolled into the far corner.

Swish.

1:2.

The dark horse, Cape Verde, took the lead in the score.

The entire NRG Stadium in Houston fell into a deathly silence lasting several seconds at that moment.

The 80,000 Portugal fans were all dumbfounded, the color on their faces instantly drained; they simply couldn’t believe their eyes.

Meanwhile, the away team’s fan stands have completely turned into a sea of joyful blue.

They shouted wildly, waved the national flag, and hysterically celebrated this incredible goal.

The global livestream was already filled with criticism.

“What the heck are you doing? Getting beaten up by Cape Verde, you have no shame left.”

“Martinez, Pepe should step down. What trash tactics?”

“Where did Cristiano Ronaldo go, except for that free kick? Is he invisible?”

[Ding! Detected massive amounts of negative emotions worldwide, Tyrant +12000.]

Cristiano Ronaldo stood in the center of the court, listening to the system prompt. He ignored his teammates’ frustration and stared intently at the glaring scoreboard.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the chubby face in the VIP seat, twisted with ecstatic joy.

A cold, bone-chilling killing intent surged wildly from the depths of his eyes.

On the pitch, Portugal’s players once again fell into despair.

Surpassed, and by this humiliating approach.

This feeling was even more suffocating than a crushing defeat.

The crisis of elimination is already within reach.

Just as the situation was on the verge of collapse.

On the sidelines, Martinez finally made some adjustments.

A trace of determination flashed in his eyes, and without hesitation, he turned to look directly at the bench.

His gaze landed precisely on the young figure who had been quietly warming up, almost forgotten by everyone.

“Joang.”

Martinez’s voice wasn’t loud, but it rang clearly in the young man’s ears, sending a shiver through his body.

João Neves suddenly lifted his head, his eyes filled with long-suppressed excitement and a longing for redemption.

He knew that his chance for judgment and redemption had finally arrived.

Because of a foolish red card, he has carried too much criticism and plunged the team into a huge crisis.

These past few days, he had practically spent time in hell, every breath accompanied by guilt that felt like it was being cut by a knife.

He didn’t dare read the news or go to social media.

He could only use relentless training to numb his heart, filled with regret and blood.

He had been waiting, waiting for another chance to prove himself.

“Go up, replace Palinya.”

Martinez’s expression was extremely serious as he pointed at the field.

“I don’t care what mistakes you’ve made before. Right now, I need you in the defensive midfield position to build an insurmountable barrier for me.”

“Use your running and interception to protect our shaky defense.”

“Use your performance to show the world that you are not a coward or a sinner of Portugal.”

“Yes, Coach.”

Neves let out a roar, nodded vigorously, tore off his training vest, and quickly walked to the sidelines.

At the same time, Martinez made a second substitution.

He replaced the physically exhausted Félix with the faster and more powerful young player Conceissant.

The formation then became the more aggressive 4213.

Cristiano Ronaldo still leads the way, serving as the sharpest spear.

Conceição and Leão were positioned on either side, ready to launch a push at any moment.

“Portugal made consecutive substitutions.”

“João Neves! This highly controversial young player was entrusted with a critical mission. "

“Martinez didn’t choose to be conservative; he chose to trust the sinners. He’s going to take a risk.”

The moment Neves stepped onto the pitch, the stands instantly erupted in a complex uproar, mixing boos and applause.

He ignored any outside interference and simply ran straight to his seat.

On the way, he glanced at Cristiano Ronaldo not far away.

The man was also looking at him, without a trace of reproach in his eyes.

There is only one undeniable trust and encouragement.

As if to say.

Go and reclaim everything you’ve lost.

Neves took a deep breath, his eyes instantly welling up.

He clenched his fists and roared in his heart.

Boss, I won’t let you down again.