WebNovels

Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Yellow Card Hat Trick

"The Sevilla players are complaining that Raúl was offside, but even if he was, what does that have to do with Su Hang?"

"Raúl moved out of the way just in time. He didn't interfere with the play at all... Sure enough, the referee has ruled Su Hang's goal valid!"

"Su Hang is playing like he's flying today!"

"Zidane's lob pass was tailor-made for Su Hang! This youth academy talent has incredible chemistry with the world's best midfielder!"

"Oh! Su Hang's charging toward the sideline. Is he going to celebrate with Queiroz?"

The camera shows Su Hang running straight toward the Real Madrid bench.

Queiroz looks utterly confused.

What's Su Hang trying to do?

Is this him backing down?

Scoring a goal and coming over to celebrate with him as a thank-you gesture, hoping to stay on the pitch?

Queiroz chuckled.

If this kid had been this sensible earlier, there wouldn't have been any issues.

As for now... sorry, better cool off on the bench first.

Keep this apologetic attitude up for a week, issue a public apology during training, write a 10,000-word self-criticism... Maybe then I'll consider letting Su Hang—

"Damn it! Substitute me? Come on then, sub me out!"

Queiroz: ???

The Real Madrid bench was in shock.

What's Su Hang doing?

"You don't like me, right? Two headers—this is what I bring to Real Madrid!" Su Hang shouted arrogantly at Queiroz. "I, Su Hang, can bring victory to this club!"

"You dare sub me out?"

"Try it! Just try it!"

"Let's see who can do better than me! Who?!"

"Damn it!"

Beckham, Zidane, and the others rushed over to pull Su Hang back.

Otherwise, they honestly thought he might take a swing at Queiroz.

Over on the bench, the players restrained the furious Queiroz, who looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

The Real Madrid fans in the stadium were stunned.

The commentators were just as shocked: "Oh my god, did Su Hang just... confront Queiroz?"

"Oh dear! This is definitely going to stir up a storm after the match!"

"Has Su Hang lost it? He…"

"Of course, we understand how Su Hang feels. He's been incredible today—two goals—and he's still being subbed off."

"Anyone would be upset, but… he's being way too blunt."

"I could've sworn I heard him say, 'I can bring victory to Real Madrid… no one's stronger than me'... Even Ronaldo might hesitate to say something like that!"

But to the commentator's surprise, after a brief silence, the Bernabéu erupted in thunderous cheers.

The fans began chanting Su Hang's name:

"Su Hang! Su Hang! Su Hang!"

Queiroz's face darkened even more.

This was a direct expression of the fans' frustration with his coaching.

Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham, Figo, Raúl, Carlos… With such a galaxy of superstars, Real Madrid had been knocked out by Monaco.

They were only second in La Liga, and the title race was in doubt.

This was not what the Galácticos were supposed to be.

In the eyes of the fans, with this kind of squad, Real Madrid should've already secured the top spot in the league—leading by over ten points—and cruised to the Champions League semifinals and beyond.

But Queiroz had failed.

Maybe there were many external factors, but the fans didn't care.

To them, Su Hang had voiced exactly what they wanted to scream at Queiroz.

And Su Hang's confidence perfectly embodied what they expected from a Real Madrid player.

After all, the club kept signing the most expensive players in the world—of course the players should be bold enough to claim they're the best!

That's what it means to wear the white jersey!

The chants only grew louder.

The referee stepped in.

Even though it was just an internal team dispute, he decided Su Hang's behavior had disrupted the game—and showed him a yellow card.

Su Hang looked slightly disappointed.

Why not a red?

Ref, you're being too fair.

Don't hold back just because we're at the Bernabéu.

Give me the red.

The referee noticed the pleading look in Su Hang's eyes and thought he was asking him to take back the yellow, so he shook his head.

"You played well, kid, but you need to cool off a bit."

"Keep going—I believe in you."

He gave Su Hang a few words of encouragement.

On the sidelines, the assistant coach turned to Queiroz.

"Um… are we still making the substitution? The fourth official is asking."

Queiroz exploded, "Substitution? You tell me how the hell we're supposed to make a substitution now?! I feel like they want to sub me out!"

"This is madness! Utter madness!"

The assistant coach immediately signaled for Portillo to return to the bench.

Portillo looked devastated.

He had never seen anything like this.

Someone dared to challenge the head coach—and actually won?

"Wooooh!"

The stands roared again.

The fans had won their battle.

Their best player was staying on the pitch.

Meanwhile, that very player—Su Hang—was bleeding inside.

Seriously?

They're not subbing him off?

Come on, Queiroz!

You can't even get this right?

He forced a bitter smile and returned to the field, completely focused once again.

He had to stay focused on his "ball-dodging mission."

...

66th minute.

Salgado brought down Baptista on the wing and picked up a yellow card.

Sevilla sent the resulting free-kick into Real Madrid's box.

Helguera leapt up and headed the ball clear.

But by sheer misfortune, the ball flew straight toward Su Hang.

In that moment, Su Hang felt despair.

He locked into a fierce battle for position with Casquero. At this intensity, there was no way he could control the ball.

It was far beyond his capabilities.

He couldn't even outmuscle Casquero.

Casquero was gaining the upper hand and seemed poised to control it.

Out of the corner of his eye, Su Hang spotted another Sevilla player—Alejandro.

In a flash, Su Hang shouted, "Attack! The ball's mine!"

Raúl, Carlos, Solari, Zidane, and the others instantly charged forward.

Counterattack!

The Real Madrid players transitioned straight into offensive mode.

They had complete faith in Su Hang—they believed he could launch a brilliant counterattack.

Alejandro panicked. Before the ball even arrived, he and Casquero sandwiched Su Hang and knocked him to the ground.

Tweet!

The referee blew the whistle.

Alejandro—yellow card!

"Alejandro stopped Real Madrid's counterattack at the cost of a yellow card!"

"That's the third yellow Su Hang has drawn this match! His threat is obvious—he's been Real Madrid's best player today!"

Casquero looked bewildered. "I already had him boxed out. Why'd you jump in? I had it under control!"

Alejandro: "Huh? I thought you were losing him! Real Madrid was already launching the counter!"

The two stared at each other in silence.

Meanwhile, Su Hang just smiled faintly.

And you actually fell for that?

You guys are still way too naive.

--

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