Chapter 111: The Final Blow

With the confidence gained from the long-range shot in the 68th minute, Dai Zhiwei became increasingly active in the frontcourt. His movements unsettled the opposing players, especially his sudden changes in direction—nearly every time, the Real Madrid defenders found themselves helpless.

Seeing Dai Zhiwei in such fine form, his teammates grew even more eager to pass to him—it seemed they had gotten used to this approach since about two-thirds into last season.

Pass the ball to Dai Zhiwei, then wait for the goal celebration.

It was that simple!

In the 70th minute, Trigueros intercepted the ball at midfield and sent a direct through ball to Dai Zhiwei in the center. As Dai Zhiwei received it, Kovacic had just stepped up to mark him.

Although Kovacic and Modric were both formidable Croatian midfielders, their defensive capabilities were worlds apart.

Facing Kovacic, Dai Zhiwei executed a sudden spin and burst into motion, immediately pulling off a sharp feint as Kovacic took his first step.

The sharp angle feint might seem unremarkable—no fancy step-overs or dazzling flicks—but it was extremely difficult to defend against, often fooling defenders into standing still like wooden stakes.

Kovacic didn’t want to be made a wooden post, but in his eagerness to make a play, he was caught off guard and ended up on the ground.

Whether on the basketball court or the football pitch, fooling a defender was always a moment to take pride in!

From the Villarreal bench, cheers erupted immediately. Regardless of whether Dai Zhiwei could hear them or not, the supporters roared with enthusiasm.

Dai Zhiwei’s breakthrough caused chaos among Real Madrid’s backline. He drove diagonally toward the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a sudden shot. Fortunately, Ramos stretched out his leg to block it, but the ball fortuitously bounced right to Pato’s feet.

“Alexander!” Dai Zhiwei shouted, sprinting into the box.

Hearing his call, Pato didn’t hesitate and immediately laid the ball back.

However, Pato’s flick grazed the tip of Carvajal’s foot, converting the rolling ball into a drifting half-volley with a slight change in direction.

“Oh no!” Dai Zhiwei hadn’t expected Pato’s return pass to become a half-volley, which completely disrupted his rhythm and his plan for a direct shot.

Chest control?

That was the first thought that crossed Dai Zhiwei’s mind, as the ball was at the perfect height for chest control.

But Varane, Ramos, and Carvajal were already closing in from three sides, leaving no time for him to chest the ball and prepare his next move.

“Better just take a wild shot!” Dai Zhiwei decided, ready to unleash a powerful strike out of desperation.

He suddenly leapt, twisting his body mid-air. Before anyone could react to his intent, he struck a scissors kick, drawing his right leg back like a bowstring before firing hard at the ball.

A volleyed side scissor kick!

Having mastered Robert Hongo’s bicycle kick technique, Dai Zhiwei was now equally adept at this kind of volley. The ball shot through a narrow gap between Varane and Carvajal.

As the saying goes: "An arrow hits the bullseye as it leaves the bow."

Casillas’s view was obscured by Varane and Carvajal’s bodies. By the time he spotted the ball, it was already near the penalty spot. Before he could dive, the ball had passed beyond his reach, spinning relentlessly inside the net.

“Gooooooooooooooooooooooal!”

2-1!

Villarreal had successfully reclaimed the lead!

“Ha ha ha!” Dai Zhiwei laughed out loud. Shots like this, unconventional and risky, usually had a higher chance of missing than scoring, so the joy of this goal was all the sweeter.

After scoring, Dai Zhiwei ran while making a gun-firing celebration!

In the new season, his barrel remained scorching hot!

The moment Dai Zhiwei scored, the Villarreal bench erupted in jubilation. Everyone rushed out, shouting at Dai Zhiwei on the field; some even tried to rush onto the pitch to celebrate with him.

Dai Zhiwei didn’t disappoint. After his gun-firing celebration, he excitedly ran to the sidelines to celebrate with teammates and coaches.

Marcelo on the sidelines raised his arms and clapped continuously. Such a magnificent goal was beloved by anyone who truly cherished football—except, of course, the side that had just conceded.

“Zidane’s spectacular strike was no less impressive!” The television broadcast replayed the goal repeatedly, with commentators lavishly praising it. Even Real Madrid fans had to admit this goal deserved such acclaim.

Dai Zhiwei’s volley stunned all the spectators. Many Real Madrid fans who had traveled from afar wanted to stand and applaud, but recalling their side’s goal being conceded, they hesitated and sat back down, conflicted as they watched the Villarreal players celebrate.

The referee had to urge the Villarreal players back onto the field repeatedly. Dai Zhiwei kept pumping his fists at the stands before returning to his position.

Every attacking player dreams of marking their new season’s first goal with something beautiful, and Dai Zhiwei had almost done just that.

That goal put Villarreal ahead 2-1 against Real Madrid once again.

Initially, Real Madrid’s players did not have a fierce desire to win this European Super Cup, but as the match progressed, especially spurred by Dai Zhiwei’s marvelous goal, the Galácticos’ fighting spirit ignited!

After the restart, the pitch became a stage dominated by Real Madrid’s offense.

In the 79th minute, Marcelo sped down the flank and crossed from the left edge of the box. Fortunately, Gaspar stretched out his left foot, reducing the ball’s pace, and Asenjo caught it securely.

Two minutes later, Real Madrid struck back. Casemiro sent a long pass from the center circle; Carvajal’s shot from a tight angle on the right side of the box was narrowly saved by Asenjo.

At the 84th minute, Real Madrid created another scare inside Villarreal’s box. Ramos’ shot was blocked by Rukavina, and Benzema’s follow-up finally pierced Asenjo’s grasp. Unfortunately, the linesman flagged for offside, nullifying the goal.

“Phew!” Dai Zhiwei, forced back into defense, exhaled in relief at the call.

But his joy was premature.

In injury time, Real Madrid launched one last attack. Right back Carvajal, now almost playing as a winger, received the ball near the box and threaded a surgical through ball, slicing through Villarreal’s defense.

On the right side of the box, Vasquez delivered a cross, and Ramos, unmarked at the back post, headed it home. 2-2—the equalizer!

“Damn it!” Dai Zhiwei spat on the ground in frustration—not only had they been pegged back at the last moment, but the goal had come from Ramos, the player he despised most.

Yet, he had to admit Ramos was one of the most bizarre clutch players in modern football—this defender always seemed to rescue Real Madrid with goals in critical moments.

The Super Cup final’s outcome followed the same format as any European club final: if tied after 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time would be played; if still deadlocked, a penalty shootout would decide the champion.

Both teams entered extra time.

At this stage, neither Zidane nor Marcelino was willing to relinquish the trophy. After all, with so much at stake, no one was ready to give up.

Real Madrid kicked off the first half of extra time.

Having had their nearly assured victory snatched away in injury time, Villarreal’s morale faltered. They felt as if the championship belonged only to the giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid, while their modest club could only participate.

Consequently, a demoralized Villarreal found themselves thoroughly overwhelmed by the reinvigorated Real Madrid, who pressed relentlessly from the start of extra time.

In the first minute, Real Madrid launched an attack: James Rodriguez played a pass from the right side of the box; Benzema’s right-footed slide shot was straight at Asenjo, who focused and caught it.

At the third minute, Real Madrid won the ball high up, but Benzema’s shot went off a defender and was cleared.

Villarreal’s defense crumbled under the pressure. One minute later, Musacchio fouled Vasquez and received a yellow card; a second yellow turned into a red, sending him off.

Worse still for Marcelino, all three substitution slots had been used. With Musacchio off, Bruno had to drop back to center-back, leaving Villarreal’s midfield even more fragile.

At the tenth minute, Real Madrid pressed again inside Villarreal’s box. From the right side, Carvajal crossed toward the far post, but returning defender Cheryshev cleared it over the line.

In this match, Cheryshev had started as a wide midfielder, shifted to winger in the second half, and now in extra time played as a fullback.

Helpless.

Marcelo took a tactical corner; Ramos rose for a header and scored, but the referee ruled Ramos had fouled first—he had grabbed Cheryshev and brought him down with a wrestling move.

“That guy shows no friendship to his former teammates! What a piece of work!” Dai Zhiwei, now back defending near the box, watched Ramos’ tackle up close and felt an even worse impression of the Real Madrid captain.

Three minutes later, Real Madrid launched their last attack of the first half of extra time. Benzema sent a lobbed through ball from the edge of the box; James Rodriguez’s shot was too central and easily saved by Asenjo.

Despite being a man down, Villarreal endured the first half of extra time. But the break lasted only two or three minutes; Dai Zhiwei barely had time to sit and sip water before standing again, ready to continue.

Villarreal kicked off the second half of extra time.

Dai Zhiwei naively hoped Villarreal could seize the momentum and wear down their opponents, but Real Madrid remained relentless.

At the start of the half, Real Madrid regained control. James Rodriguez lofted a delicate through ball forward; Vasquez broke in alone toward the box.

If this had been Cristiano Ronaldo, the goal was certain. But Vasquez, eager to become a hero for the Galácticos, was too tense. His shot was parried by Asenjo, ricocheted off a defender, and was cleared off the line by Gaspar.

Three minutes later, substitute Modric sent in a cross from the right; James Rodriguez’s volley was too straight and caught by Asenjo.

At the 21st minute, Modric whipped in another cross; once again, eager Vasquez headed over the bar.

“Oh! An inside job!” Dai Zhiwei gave Vasquez a thumbs-up. While such mishaps were common in the Chinese Super League, he hadn’t expected them on a grand stage like the European Super Cup.

Many people complained that Ronaldo’s goals were easy; yet many forwards wouldn’t even finish the chances laid before them.

The match quickly approached the final moments of extra time. After several attacks with no clear opportunities, Real Madrid seemed to accept a draw, focusing fully on the impending penalty shootout without launching further assaults.

Yet, in the last 30 seconds, Cheryshev suddenly accelerated from midfield, whizzing past a surprised Modric.

Dai Zhiwei had slipped between Real Madrid’s two center-backs. For a moment, the entire Lerkendal Stadium fixated on those two rushing figures.

Players on both sides sensed the moment. Modric chased wildly, while Gaspar and Rukavina quickly shifted to the wings to prevent the fullbacks from advancing.

Soon, Cheryshev faced Casemiro. Against his former teammate, Cheryshev casually flicked the ball with the outside of his foot, then chipped it forward without hesitation, delivering it quickly to the advancing Dai Zhiwei.

Still jostling with Ramos for position, Dai Zhiwei controlled the ball and immediately executed a clever move: he pulled the ball through Ramos’s legs and surged forward with a sudden burst of speed.

Ramos, exhausted from earlier exertions, was no match—like a wooden stake, he was swiftly left behind, watching helplessly as Dai Zhiwei charged into the penalty area.

Casillas, seeing Dai Zhiwei at the box’s edge, knew trouble was imminent. In the brief seconds remaining, they had to act.

Casillas retreated to the goal line, while Varane abandoned the box to close down the shooting angle. Ramos pressed from behind, using his body to impede Dai Zhiwei. They knew the referee would be reluctant to award a penalty at such a critical moment.

With Ramos interfering, Varane closed to within two meters of Dai Zhiwei.

This was the moment!

(End of chapter)