When Melli stood in front of the penalty spot, Nestor Farias was standing in the center circle, but he did not dare to look, but hid himself behind teammate Mathias De
Behind LaVega, he even pulled up his jersey to cover his eyes...
Farias made his fourth appearance in the penalty shootout, but Albertazzi saved the ball.
If Melli cannot kick the ball in, the penalty shootout between Argentina and Italy will become a one-on-one Russian roulette.
If he loses the game, even if Farias scores a goal in the game, he cannot escape the blame and will be the target of verbal criticism from the media and fans after the game.
Farias actually doesn't care much about being scolded by the media and fans.
But he really cares about the fact that his team lost the game because of his mistakes.
He couldn't tolerate this result.
So he prayed to God and prayed that captain Melli could kick the ball in.
His prayers were apparently heard by God.
Although Albertazzi judged the opponent's direction, he still couldn't save Melli's shot from a ten-point angle.
Farias did not see the entire process of the football entering the goal. He judged the result by relying on de la Vega's movements in front of him and listening to his voice.
De La Vega, who was standing in front of him, suddenly jumped up and shouted at the same time: "Okay! Okay! Okay, captain!!"
He knew the goal was scored!
So he quickly poked his head out and saw captain Melly running towards the corner flag area with his arms outstretched.
He quickly turned his attention to the goal and found the football lying in the goal.
Goal confirmed!
Then he was relieved and ran towards captain Mellie Banega with his teammates and dove into the celebrating crowd.
※※※
Melly stared at the frozen video on his phone, which was the scene where Farias hid himself behind de la Vega.
At that time, Melli was preparing to take a penalty kick and had no idea what was happening in the center circle behind him.
I was so busy celebrating afterwards that I had no time to care about the reactions of my teammates.
It wasn't until one night after the game that he saw this scene while watching the game highlights.
In fact, it is normal for players to be too nervous to watch during a penalty shootout.
It doesn't require special attention.
But the reason why Melly stared at the camera for a long time was because he knew that what happened to Farias was abnormal.
Who is Nestor Farias?
He is a lawless naughty boy.
He dared to confront those meritorious veteran players in Madrid Pirates, and almost single-handedly brought an end to the "Pirates Dynasty". Countless people scolded him, and the media frequently exposed dirt on him.
How much pressure does this have to be?
Is he cowardly?
No, I still go my own way.
And Melly also knew that Farias had always had the ambition to replace him.
How big is the heart of such a player?
How could you be too nervous to watch a penalty kick?
Melly speculated that Farias' performance was related to the fact that he missed Argentina's fourth penalty kick.
Maybe it was the ball that burdened him.
Although this is a normal thing, in Melly's opinion, it is abnormal for this to happen to Farias.
Before the final battle with the Chinese team, he did not want his team to still have hidden dangers.
I hope every teammate can face Hulay and his team with a good mentality and condition.
So Mellie decided to talk to Farias,
※※※
After Farias finished his meal and was about to go back to his room, he was stopped by Mellie.
"Are you free, Nestor? Come to my room and I'll treat you to yerba mate."
Although Melly asked Farias for advice, judging from his attitude, it was obvious that he did not intend to let Farias refuse.
Farias could also feel it, so he nodded: "Okay."
After entering Melly and Cantero's room, the first thing that caught Farias' eyes was the table full of yerba mate tea tools, including teapots, straws, and of course tea leaves.
This shows that smoking yerba mate is an important leisure activity for Mellie and Cantero.
Farias was not surprised by this, because drinking yerba mate is a traditional hobby of Argentines.
It's just that he doesn't like it too much... No wonder the media said he doesn't look like an Argentinian.
"Where's Ramon?" Farias didn't see Cantero in the room.
While making yerba mate for the two of them, Melly replied: "He went to find Pablo."
Farias realized that this should be the "two-person world" specially arranged by Melly.
But he didn't say it out loud. Instead, he sat down and let the team boss make tea for him with peace of mind.
While the water was boiling, Melly started talking to Farias about the penalty kick: "Honestly, Nestor, although you are not a professional penalty kicker, I still feel that the penalty kick was missed.
It's not up to standard. Do you mind telling me what your situation was like at that time?"
Farias did not expect Melly to be so direct, so he remained silent and did not answer immediately.
And Merry didn't rush him. When he was silent, he paid attention to whether the water was boiling or not.
After hesitating for a while, Farias finally said honestly: "I, uh... think too much..."
"Thinking too much?" Melly asked herself and nodded, "That's right. In that situation, it's normal for you to think too much, but it's abnormal for you to think too much..."
※※※
In the crowded stadium, the Argentinian fans in the stands were cheering desperately.
On the court, Italian forward Wario Carrero, who was replaced in the second half, turned dejectedly and walked towards the center circle.
The commentator shouted: "Calero missed the penalty kick! Now Italy has only scored two of the four penalty kicks! Farias, who will appear next, will end the game as long as he kicks this penalty kick in."
A breathtaking penalty shootout!”
Amid cheers, Nestor Farias stepped towards the center circle.
Along the way, the Argentinian fans on the sidelines were shouting his name and cheering him on.
Then he passed Carrero.
He also turned to look at Calero, who was in despair.
Looking at Calero's back is like watching him leave in advance.
As the commentator said, as Argentina's fourth penalty kicker, as long as Farias kicks the penalty kick, Argentina will end the penalty shootout with a score of 4:2, and captain Melli has no chance at all.
You don't need to show up.
He, Nestor Farias, will be the one who decides the outcome of the match.
Such a final opportunity fell at his feet... How could he let go of this opportunity?!
But when the excited Farias placed the football and raised his body, he saw Albertazzi standing in front of the goal with his arms open, and suddenly felt a little dazed.
Albertazzi's figure seemed to be magnified in his eyes, as if he had actually transformed into a mountain, blocking the goal tightly.
He hesitated for a moment, not knowing which direction the penalty kick should be taken.
Lower right corner? Lower left corner? Upper right corner? Or upper left corner?
Or... the middle?
Just when Farias was hesitant, he heard the referee's whistle.
The scene suddenly became quiet.
Only then did Farias realize that he had not yet decided where to kick the ball...
When he realized that he couldn't stand in front of the penalty spot forever, he panicked a little.
Then he could only kick up hastily and kicked a half-high ball which is the goalkeeper's favorite.
Without any suspense, the football was thrown out by Albertazzi who judged the opposite direction!
He did not complete the decisive victory over Italy, but instead helped Italy retain a glimmer of hope...
When Albertazzi saved the ball, Farias really felt as if an iceberg was falling on him and completely burying him.
※※※
Melly put the brewed yerba mate teapot into the straw and handed it to Farias: "...Because the opportunity to end the game is right in front of you, it is normal to feel pressure. But why did you even shoot me a free throw?
You dare not watch it when you are playing? To be honest, Nestor, I don’t think you are such a timid person. Are you worried that after we lose, you will become a ‘sinner’ in the eyes of the media and fans?”
Farias shook his head: "No, I'm not worried about what the media and fans think of me. I'm purely worried that the team will lose because of my penalty kick..."
Melly heard Farias' childish words and laughed: "How could we lose because of your penalty kick? If we really lose, then at least two people must not kick the penalty kick."
.In terms of responsibility, you are the lightest among them."
"That's what I said, captain. But I just can't accept it. I clearly had the opportunity to end the game, but let such an opportunity slip away from my hands..."
Melli could only comfort him: "This is the World Cup, Nestor. Even if you have played many league games and the Champions League, the World Cup is completely different. A very simple thing in ordinary times, in the context of the World Cup, it is
It will get very complicated. Not to mention that this is the World Cup semi-final. So missing a penalty kick is nothing... I can even say that missing a penalty kick in a key game is the only way to grow. Don't take it to heart.
"
Farias shook his head and disagreed with the captain's statement: "But Captain Hu has never missed a penalty kick..."
The expression on Melly's face froze, and then he said angrily: "Which side are you on?"
After Farias finished speaking, he realized that he had specifically mentioned his competitor in front of the captain, so he quickly said: "Well, I didn't mean that..."
But Melly didn't mean to blame him. Instead, he laughed again: "Okay, you can refute me now. It seems like you are back to normal."
Then he pointed to the teapot: "Let's drink tea."
Farias was a little embarrassed: "Captain, I don't like drinking yerba mate very much..."
Melly rolled her eyes at him: "Okay, I'll keep it for Ramon. Okay, you go back!"
He waved his hand as if to shoo away flies.
Farias put down the teapot in his hand as if he was relieved and ran away.
Looking back at his back in the room, Melly smiled helplessly.
How long has this kid been following Hu Cai? He is getting more and more irritating! ()