Chapter 162. Kaka is in a state of non-confrontation...

Unlike the friendly atmosphere before the match, the game between Italy and Brazil was fiercely contested from the very first minute.

After Italy kicked off, Pirlo made a long pass to Fino on the left flank. Fino received the ball but did not choose to dribble past his opponent. Instead, he made another long pass and sent the ball into the Brazilian penalty area.

Fino's strategy was clear: at the start of the game, before the Brazilian players got into the game, he would launch a fast break.

After Fino took the shot, Di Natale quickly overtook Lucio and entered the Brazilian penalty area, but was knocked to the ground by Juan while trying to get the ball to the ball.

When it was Brazil's turn to attack, Italy's defensive midfielders and backline didn't hold back either, with Kaká and Robinho being brought down by Nesta and Gattuso respectively.

Fortunately, both teams' players were very disciplined, focusing on the ball or committing tactical fouls, without resorting to dirty tactics.

In the 8th minute, Brazil had an excellent attacking opportunity.

Kaka broke through the blockade of De Rossi and Gattuso in the middle, dribbled the ball at full speed in the Italian half, and then passed it to Alves on the right wing before Nesta could catch up, allowing Alves to continue dribbling forward.

At this point, Alves was very close to the Italian penalty area, and Criscito immediately rushed up to intercept him.

Alves opted not to engage Criscito, instead passing the ball to the far post. Robinho shook off Chiellini and unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net.

Italy's goalkeeper Marchetti knelt on the ground, stunned. The goal was too sudden; he was completely unprepared.

However, the whistle for a goal didn't sound; the linesman raised his flag, indicating Brazil was offside. It wasn't Robinho who was offside, but Alves, who received the pass from Kaká.

Marchetti then stood up, his face showing a relieved expression of relief at surviving the ordeal.

Nesta walked over and tapped Marchetti. Although the goal was ultimately disallowed, Marchetti's lack of concentration leading to the goal was undeniable. The game has only just begun, with 80 minutes to go, and Marchetti needs to be more focused.

"Marchetti's ability is simply not up to par with the defending champions; the goalkeeper position is the weakest link in this Italian team." The commentator also noticed Marchetti's problem and pointed it out sharply.

The camera then panned to the Italian bench, where Buffon was sitting and watching the game.

After being forced to leave the first group stage match due to injury, Buffon did not choose to immediately return to Italy for surgery, but instead stayed in South Africa for conservative treatment. He hopes to accompany Italy through the rest of the World Cup, even if he can only remain on the bench.

Whenever he sees Marchetti and De Sanctis make numerous blunders in their saves, Buffon's expression becomes utterly dejected. Like now, he's covering his face with his hands, looking up at the sky, as if he can't bear to watch anymore.

The photographers also developed a habit of pointing their lenses at Buffon whenever Italy conceded a goal, especially one due to a goalkeeper's mistake, which was quite malicious.

In the 15th minute, during an Italian attacking opportunity, Fino dribbled the ball from the right flank towards the Brazilian half. Pepe and De Rossi followed Fino on the left flank, one in front of the other, as they sprinted towards the Brazilian half. Zambrotta also started his run down the right flank.

Brazil's two defensive midfielders, Gilberto and Melo, double-teamed Fino from the front and left.

Fino didn't waste time maneuvering with them. Instead, he passed the ball to Zambrotta on the right front and then, without the ball, sped past Melo toward the Brazilian penalty area, waiting to receive Zambrotta's pass.

After Zambrotta reached the byline, he dodged Bastos's tackle and passed the ball back to Fino, who had already run to the penalty arc. Fino raised his right foot to meet the ball, ready to unleash a powerful shot.

However, at this moment, Juan, who came up to defend him, risked getting a card and pulled him up. Fino's center of gravity shifted, and his shot lacked power, hitting Lucio and bouncing back.

Di Natale reacted quickly, getting to the ball first in the scramble with Gilberto, and unleashed a powerful shot as it bounced back, sending the ball flying between Lucio and Juan and into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Brazil's goalkeeper, Cesar, had his view blocked by Lucio and reacted a step too slowly, only able to watch helplessly as the ball went into the net.

Italy took the lead 1-0 before halftime.

The referee saw Juan Rafinho's tackle; if it hadn't gone in, he should have at least received a yellow card. However, because Rafinho didn't fall and Di Natale scored on the rebound, the referee let Juan off the hook.

Juan's face didn't show any relief at escaping a yellow card; they had conceded a goal...

After conceding the goal, Brazil intensified their attack.

In the 32nd minute, Melo delivered a precise through ball from midfield. Kaká received the ball, dribbled forward a few steps, and passed it into the penalty area before encountering Chiellini.

The moment Kaká passed the ball, Fabiano, who was behind Nesta, suddenly burst out, successfully beating the offside trap, and headed the ball to Robinho on the other side of the penalty area.

Robinho received the ball and found himself one-on-one with Italy's goalkeeper Marchetti.

In a critical moment, Marchetti took the initiative, running forward a few steps before lunging at the ball.

Robinho remained calm, dribbling the ball a few steps to the left to avoid Marchetti, and then calmly slotted the ball into the net.

Brazil equalized the score in the first half, 1-1.

The Brazilian players huddled together to celebrate the goal, but Kaka didn't join in. He bent down and rubbed his left knee, the pain there making him feel uneasy; it was more intense than the pain in his groin.

But at this time, the Brazilian team couldn't do without him, and he had to persevere.

The first half of the game is still ongoing.

After several unsuccessful attacks from both sides, Brazil had a chance to take the lead near the end of the first half.

After Cesar saved Pepe's shot, Brazil launched a quick counter-attack. Lucio received Cesar's throw-in and immediately made a long pass to Maicon, who had already run to the halfway line, and Maicon broke through on the right wing.

After a series of one-two passes with Kaká to get past Gattuso and Criscito, Maicon crossed from the byline, aiming for Fabiano who was standing on the outside of the penalty area.

Fabiano received the ball and immediately shot, but Nesta blocked it with his leg. The ball bounced off the ground and towards the outside of the penalty area, where Chiellini got to control it.

Before Chiellini could pass the ball, Alves and Fabiano immediately intercepted it, working together to hook the ball away from Chiellini's feet.

After Alves scored, he passed the ball back to Kaká, who was making a run into the box. Kaká then took a shot from about 21 meters out.

The ball was fast and powerful. Marchetti was clearly ready to make a save, but he lost his grip the moment he touched it. The ball first fell near the goal line and then rolled into the goal.

Brazil took the lead in the first half, 2-1.

The broadcast camera then maliciously focused on Buffon on the bench, who once again covered his face in despair.

Buffon's actions once again amused spectators outside of the Italian fans.

But when the broadcast camera switched back to the field, viewers discovered that something terrible had happened: Brazil's goal scorer, Kaká, was clutching his left knee and struggling on the grass.

Nesta, who was closest to Kaká, immediately crouched down to check on him. Upon seeing the pain on Kaká's face, he quickly waved for the Brazilian team doctor to come onto the field.

Fino, Pirlo, and the other Brazilian players gathered around.

"Ricci, how are you?" Fino pushed past Nesta and took a spot next to Kaká.

Kaka didn't speak; he closed his eyes in pain, large beads of sweat sliding down his temples.

At this moment, the Brazilian team doctor finally arrived, separated the players surrounding him, and knelt down to check on Kaka's condition. After a moment, he shook his head, signaled to the other staff to bring over a stretcher, and gestured to Dunga on the bench that Kaka needed to leave the field.

The broadcast cut to the footage after Kaká's shot.

After Kaka took the shot, the joy on his face was immediately replaced by pain. The instant the ball rolled into the net, Kaka fell to the ground.

"After the shot, Kaká fell to the ground without any contact with anyone. Slow-motion replays show that after the right-footed shot, his supporting leg staggered, suggesting a problem with his left knee. Falling without contact often leads to more serious issues; a prime example is Owen in the last World Cup..."

The commentator sighed, saying regretfully, "Brazil's head coach Dunga has already made a substitution, with Baptista replacing Kaká. Kaká suffered two major injuries last season, missing a total of 85 days, and was also plagued by minor injuries. Perhaps his body has reached its limit. Judging from the replay, Kaká's World Cup journey may very well be over. We wish him a speedy recovery!"

Fans' complaints overwhelmed the TV station's landline. The commentator's words sparked strong dissatisfaction among Brazilian fans: Why curse Kaka with a serious injury? Maybe Kaka just has a minor injury and can recover in a day or two?

Love and expectation can sometimes blind us; even if we rationally know that what the commentator is saying is true, we may still find it difficult to accept emotionally...

Baptista is physically strong and his style is more defensive and aggressive. With Brazil already in the lead and key players injured, Dunga hopes to bring on Baptista to strengthen Brazil's midfield and preserve their winning position.

Shortly after Baptista came on, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half, with Italy trailing by one goal going into halftime.

On his way back to the locker room, Fino kept glancing towards the Brazilian bench. Kaká had already left the field with the team doctor and would probably be taken directly to the hospital. Fino was still very worried.

He knew how fragile Kaká's body was right now. He was supposed to have groin surgery before the World Cup, but he insisted on coming to South Africa for the national team. And now, his left knee is in trouble again…

Nesta put his arm around Fino's shoulder and kissed his forehead to comfort him: "Rich will be alright."

These words sounded weak, but Fino, whose mind was in turmoil, grasped at them like a lifeline and immediately repeated, "Yes, Richie will be alright, he definitely will!"

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Author's Note: In the next chapter, the Brazilian team will be sent home, Kaka will immediately have surgery, and then recover, getting all his groin, meniscus, and ligament injuries healed. From then on, Kaka will be healthy Kaka again!!!

Thank you everyone for your support! [hugs]