They say that those who survive a major disaster are destined for good fortune.
Reus squandered a golden opportunity.
Possession of the ball changed hands.
Next, it was Manchester United's turn to attack.
Manchester United's attack still revolved around the left flank, but unlike before, this time after receiving the pass, Ronaldo did not immediately look for Sun Jihai to make a one-on-one breakthrough. Instead, he waited for Scholes and Evra to come up and then started passing the ball around on the left flank.
Manchester United's sudden change in tactics caused some confusion among the Leeds United players involved in defense.
Several attempts to tackle failed.
After Ronaldo passed the ball to Scholes again, Sun Jihai, in his haste, abandoned his intended close marking of Ronaldo and instead rushed forward with Lahm to try and steal the ball from Scholes' feet.
It's obvious.
This is the moment Scholes has been waiting for.
Facing the rolling football.
Instead of stopping the ball as before, Scholes slightly stepped back, letting the ball pass directly in front of him. Then, he aimed at the gap in the flank of Leeds United's defense, exposed by Sun Jihai and Lahm's forward runs, and sent out a through ball!
The ball not only passed smoothly between Sun Jihai and Lahm, but also rolled right past Thiago Silva, who was defending on that side, thanks to the power of Scholes' pass.
Here.
It was a huge, undefended gap!
The next second.
A red figure emerged from the light drizzle, easily received the pass, and dribbled towards the penalty area!
"Cristiano!!"
Amid Zola's passionate shouts, Ronaldo and Neuer, who had immediately abandoned his goal after realizing something was wrong, met in the penalty area.
This exhilarating scene brought the atmosphere inside Luzhniki Stadium to a fever pitch, with cheers and boos mingling together.
Countless fans stood up from their seats.
Fans wearing red Manchester United jerseys were beaming with excitement, while those wearing white Leeds United jerseys looked tense.
soon.
Cristiano Ronaldo adjusted his footwork, spotted Neuer's position, aimed at the left side of the Leeds United goal, and unleashed a powerful shot.
At this point, the distance between the two was less than two meters.
The shot from such close range forced Neuer to react instinctively.
Simply put
Neuer instinctively fell to the ground, then spread his legs, using a scissor kick to maximize his defensive coverage.
As it turns out.
Neuer made the right choice.
Although Ronaldo's shot was powerful and fast, he didn't choose to shoot a half-high ball this time, but instead opted for a low, ground-based shot.
Neuer's outstretched right foot touched the football, which was rolling at high speed along the grass.
It was this slight touch that caused the football to change direction, narrowly missing the post and rolling out of bounds...
"Ah—!!! Cristiano!! Cristiano!!" Zola could hardly believe his eyes. "How could that ball not go in!?"
After completing the shooting motion, Ronaldo ran two steps forward, saw the ball slide across the goal, and in anguish, he clutched his head with both hands and knelt on the ground.
A simultaneous sigh of regret and cheers of relief erupted inside Luzhniki Stadium.
“Neuer’s choice was absolutely right!” Reinkel’s face turned pale, and he solemnly patted his chest. “The German saved Leeds United. I must say, at this moment, I see him as an angel!!”
····
Although Ronaldo's one-on-one chance didn't go in.
But Manchester United's attack was not over, they still had a corner kick opportunity!
Thirty seconds later.
The Leeds United penalty area was packed with people.
Scholes placed the ball at the corner flag.
After observing for a while, he took a running start and swung his leg.
The football, with a slight outward spin, flew towards Leeds United's penalty spot.
Near the penalty spot.
Six players—Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, and Michael Carrick from Manchester United, and David Silva, Vincent Kompany, and Adriano from Leeds United—are crammed together here, all vying for the first ball.
final.
Kompany got the first point.
He jumped up and headed the ball forcefully towards the edge of the penalty area.
The ball was cleared from the field.
Leeds United's players immediately turned around, looking for a quick counter-attack opportunity.
But unfortunately.
Outside the penalty area, standing at the point where the ball lands is not their teammate wearing a white jersey.
It was Hargreaves, not Hargreaves.
The Manchester United midfielder met the slowly descending ball, got into position, and headed it back into the penalty area!
What's interesting is that, judging from the trajectory of the football, it almost always lands near the penalty spot.
Actually, this ball wasn't very threatening.
Because Hargreaves didn't take a running start before jumping to head the ball; he headed it from a standing position.
in this case.
Even if Hargreaves used all his strength, he couldn't head out a fast pass.
But it just so happens to be this football that is slowly flying through the air.
Neuer, standing in front of the door, made a mistake in his judgment!
The German goalkeeper once again abandoned his post.
Neuer wanted to punch the ball out of the penalty area!
Neuer had only run halfway.
Cristiano Ronaldo suddenly burst out from the side, even faster than Neuer, and rushed in front of Alonso, who was waiting in place to clear the way.
Realizing something was wrong, Neuer immediately stopped and started running back.
But it was too late.
In the corner of my eye.
Neuer saw Ronaldo leap high and, before Alonso could jump, grazed the ball with his forehead!
With the added strength of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The football, which was already falling, bounced up again, returned to the air, and fell towards Leeds United's goal in a parabolic trajectory!
The next second.
The ball fell again and appeared in front of Neuer, who was now completely facing the goal.
Unable to think about anything else, Neuer leaped into the air, his left arm outstretched, and scooped the ball out of the goal...
"Goal...or not?"
The Sky Sports studio was rather quiet.
Rheinkel raised a question.
Jon and Zola were also unsure; it was indeed difficult to determine whether the ball had gone in or not based on just a fleeting moment of footage.
soon.
The camera focused on the referee, Mikhail.
About two or three seconds later.
After listening attentively to the description given by the cutter through the headphones, Michael turned around, pointed to the center circle, and blew his whistle!
Goal!
In the 37th minute, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's header, Manchester United broke the deadlock, taking a 1-0 lead over Leeds United!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
