Chapter 471: A Big Victory
Bruno received the pass from Bernardo Silva and made a series of dribbles, drawing the attention of Chile's defense on that side. Suddenly, he made a horizontal pass to the center.
"André Silva!"
André Silva appeared on the ball's path, but instead of shooting, he cleverly let the ball go between his legs!
Cristiano Ronaldo appeared at the far post. Despite the tight angle, he didn't shoot but rather swept the ball back across the goal to the right side.
The ball zipped past the goalmouth, leaving Chile's defenders utterly confused. They had no time to react, merely watching the ball with their eyes as it rolled across the field.
On Portugal's right flank, Bernardo Silva sent a diagonal pass back into the small penalty area.
Bruno appeared there, getting his foot to the ball before the stunned Chilean defenders could react.
He aimed for the top corner of the goal.
The shot was powerful and fast, even though Chile's goalkeeper Bravo reacted quickly, he couldn't stop the ball from hitting the back of the net.
...
"GOLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" shouted the Portuguese commentator. "1-0! Bruno scores! What a magnificent goal!!!"
"Absolutely beautiful! Chile was completely outplayed by the Portuguese!"
"This goal is definitely one of the best in the Confederations Cup! It gets my vote for goal of the tournament!"
...
This is the charm of football. When the play is beautiful and well-executed, it's visually stunning and emotionally stirring.
The TV replayed the entire goal sequence.
The ball changed possession twice between the teams. Bruno's skillful interception was key.
Bruno then initiated Portugal's attack with a run down the left. Cristiano Ronaldo feigned a run, but Bernardo Silva passed to Bruno on the right, appearing to make a one-two play.
Bruno's elegant dribble, André Silva's smart dummy, Ronaldo's pass, Bernardo's assist, and finally, Bruno's finish made for a perfectly coordinated goal.
Portugal fully utilized both wings, thoroughly disrupting Chile's defense. Throughout the attack, Chile's players were left bewildered.
"This is the most beautiful goal Portugal has scored in recent years!" shouted a journalist from the famous Portuguese newspaper, Record.
...
On the pitch, Portuguese players celebrated wildly.
Bruno hugged Bernardo Silva as they celebrated the goal together.
The atmosphere in Kazan Arena was electric, with Portuguese fans in high spirits.
After the match resumed with a center kick, Portugal maintained firm control over the game.
That stunning, fluid team goal seemed to unlock Portugal's full potential.
Chile's coach Pizzi stood on the sidelines, his expression serious. He barely recognized the Portuguese team he was facing.
Watching his players struggle to keep up with Portugal's swift passing and movement left him feeling powerless.
Portugal continued to pass the ball around the front line, keeping Chile's players running and chasing.
When Chile realized they were in trouble, Portugal had already moved the ball to the edge of their penalty area.
Portugal's captain, Ronaldo, controlled the ball outside the box.
For today's game, Santos had demanded extensive movement and positional switching from both wingers, requiring them to constantly seek opportunities and disrupt Chile's defense.
André Silva stayed in the forward position, ready to penetrate the box.
André Silva suddenly dropped back towards the edge of the penalty area.
Medel hesitated but followed.
...
Then, André Silva stopped abruptly and turned back towards the goal. Medel did the same.
He felt fortunate to have anticipated the move, avoiding being caught off guard.
At almost thirty years old, Medel relied on his experience, knowing this was a common attacking strategy to lure him out of position.
Confident he had outsmarted them, Medel turned just in time to see André Silva pass the ball in the other direction.
"Beautiful! André Silva! He threaded the ball through the gap in Chile's defense."
Instead of passing to Ronaldo, André Silva feinted and sent a diagonal pass to the right.
Simultaneously, Bruno made a run, breaking through Chile's defensive line.
"Bruno! He's through the defense and... he gets the ball!"
In this match, Bernardo Silva played the role of a midfield organizer, while Bruno acted as the creator.
Bruno's technique, vision, and awareness made him perfect for this role.
He could pass, shoot, dribble, and organize play.
...
"Bruno! Onside!" shouted the Portuguese commentator.
The Chilean fans in the stands held their breath. If Portugal scored a second goal before halftime, it would be disastrous for Chile.
"Bruno! Onside!"
"One-on-one!"
Santos took a deep breath, watching the goal intently.
He had confidence in Bruno!
Faced with such a golden opportunity, Bruno wouldn't falter.
Among the Portuguese players, Bruno was the calmest and most composed when facing one-on-one chances.
As Bruno approached the onrushing Chilean goalkeeper Bravo, he remained astonishingly calm. His eyes scanned the situation, quickly assessing his options: he had at least two or three viable shooting angles and techniques.
Bruno opted for a low shot to the far corner.
He struck the ball firmly and kept it low.
The fast, low shot skimmed the grass, making it difficult for Bravo to react quickly enough to save it.
Bravo barely had time to move as the ball zipped past his left foot and into the net!
...
"GOLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" the Portuguese commentator screamed in excitement.
"Bruno! Bruno! Bruno! 2-0! Portugal doubles their lead over Chile!"
"Beautiful!! Bruno's low shot! 2-0!"
"Portugal leads Chile 2-0 at halftime."
"For Chile, this is a disappointing score. Being two goals down at halftime makes a second-half comeback incredibly difficult."
As the commentator celebrated, the Chilean fans in Kazan Arena were stunned. They struggled to accept the reality: how could a team that beat Argentina twice in the Copa America be performing so poorly against Portugal?
Despite starting the match well, once they conceded the first goal, everything changed.
Bruno, arms wide, ran towards the main stand, raising his fists in celebration. His teammates followed closely, enveloping him in a group hug.
Portuguese players celebrated exuberantly on the sidelines, while their fans in the stands cheered enthusiastically.
At halftime, Portugal led Chile 2-0 thanks to Bruno's double.
...
The second half began with Portugal controlling the game's tempo. Chile, while eager to attack and close the gap, was wary of Portugal's counterattacks and didn't fully commit.
The game grew more subdued, and by the 60th minute, Chile had no choice but to push forward aggressively. However, this left their defense exposed.
In the 73rd minute, Portugal launched a quick counterattack. Bruno chipped the ball, and Ronaldo's shot was deflected out for a corner.
Bruno took the corner, sending it into the box.
André Silva, positioned at the near post, anticipated the ball's trajectory and beat Chilean defender Jara to it, heading the ball towards the goal.
Bravo instinctively blocked the shot, but the ball rebounded.
Bernardo Silva tried to follow up, but Medel blocked his shot with his body.
Outside the box, Adrien Silva met the rolling ball and cleverly nudged it towards the center.
"Cristiano Ronaldo!" the Portuguese commentator shouted.
Ronaldo rushed forward, swinging his right foot for a powerful shot. The ball flew towards the bottom left corner of the goal.
Bravo had no chance to react as the ball rocketed past him into the net.
"GOLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
"Cristiano Ronaldo! Wow wow wow, what a stunning goal!"
Ronaldo celebrated passionately, performing his signature celebration in front of the main stand.
The Portuguese fans in the stands clapped and cheered, expressing their admiration for their captain.
(End of Chapter)
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