Lu Chuan's positioning made Girona's center-backs very uncomfortable.
He didn't seek confrontation but constantly pulled at them, searching for that tiny gap where the defensive formation might be torn open.
His runs were unpredictable, sometimes drifting wide, sometimes dropping back, giving Míchel, who was marking him, an immense headache.
Whenever Míchel was about to close in, Lu Chuan would suddenly change direction or simply stop to make a feint.
The smell of sweat, the scent of grass, the coolness of the evening breeze—all his senses became exceptionally clear, and all his attention was focused on the opposing defender's movements.
"This kid's runs are too tricky!" Ignasi Miquel gritted his teeth in defense, his eyes filled with irritation.
In the commentary box, Fernando Palomo, holding his headset, rapidly explained to the listeners: "Rayo Vallecano has brought on a very young Chinese forward, Lu Chuan.
He doesn't engage in physical confrontations like Ullóa but chooses to use his movement to find opportunities.
This is a clever way to play, but against Girona's experienced defense, it's hard to say how effective it will be."
In the 72nd minute, Lu Chuan suddenly dropped back from the center to the defensive midfield position to receive the ball.
Girona's center-back Míchel hesitated for a moment and didn't follow him out.
Ball and man arrived simultaneously; Lu Chuan, without stopping, played a first-time pass, the ball carrying a strong spin, bypassing the defenders, and sending it into Trejo's running path.
Trejo understood perfectly, and his cross created a threat. The ball arced through the air, grazing the crossbar and flying out of bounds.
"Damn it! So close!" Trejo clenched his fist, then turned and gave Lu Chuan a thumbs-up, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
This collaboration brightened Trejo's eyes. He began to look for Lu Chuan's position more frequently, and a tacit chemistry began to build between them.
In the 78th minute, Lu Chuan dropped back again, attracting the attention of Girona's defensive midfielder, Gerard Gumbau.
Just as Gumbau pressed forward, Lu Chuan dragged the ball with his sole, then flicked it with his heel.
The ball obediently passed through Gumbau's legs and rolled to the onrushing Pozo.
Pozo took a long shot, the ball whistling towards the goal, just missing the post.
"Wow!" The entire stadium gasped; this incredibly imaginative pass made everyone stand up.
Álvaro García, on the bench, also instinctively stood up, his eyes filled with surprise.
He patted his teammate next to him, excitedly shouting: "Did you see that? This kid's footwork!"
"That pass, I couldn't make it in ten years of playing!" Defender Martín Pascual shook his head, his face full of admiration.
"Just then, I thought he was going to lose the ball!" Substitute goalkeeper Alberto García's eyes widened.
"Damn, this chinese kid has some skills!" Tiago Bebe waved his towel, excited like a child.
"Stop shouting, the game isn't over yet!" Andrés Martín patted Bebe's shoulder, but his eyes were also full of appreciation.
On the sidelines, Paco Jémez's expression remained serious, but his tightly clenched fists subtly relaxed a little.
Paco's objective was achieved; Lu Chuan, this chess piece, had disrupted Girona's rock-solid defense, and the stagnant attack finally showed signs of fluidity.
"System prompt: Successfully completed a key pass, creating a prime opportunity, gained LP+30."
"System prompt: Completed a high-difficulty nutmeg, gained LP+20."
Lu Chuan could feel himself becoming more and more at ease on the field.
The turf under his feet felt more familiar, and the ball also seemed to become more obedient.
In the vip box high in the stands, a middle-aged man's pen moved quickly across his notebook,
and next to the name "Lu Chuan," he drew a heavy circle.
In the 85th minute of the match, Rayo Vallecano pushed forward with all lines.
Lu Chuan was sandwiched by two defenders at the top of the box, but he kept an eye on the wing with his peripheral vision.
Míchel and Gumbau simultaneously closed in on him, attempting to dispossess him.
At the moment he was about to lose possession, Lu Chuan, with an extremely subtle movement, shifted his body weight to the left, but then sharply flicked the ball to the right with the outside of his right foot!
An incredible outside-of-the-foot pass, the ball arcing with an outward spin, perfectly bypassing the last defender and rolling to Advíncula.
The Peruvian speedster shot without a touch! The ball, with a tearing whistle through the air, slammed into the top right corner of the goal!
1-1! Rayo Vallecano equalized!
Goal! The stands, suppressed for 85 minutes, erupted in a thunderous roar, every fan waving their arms and shouting in celebration of this hard-fought equalizer.
Advíncula excitedly rushed towards the corner flag, but he quickly turned and ran to Lu Chuan, embracing him tightly.
"Great pass! Kid!" Advíncula's voice trembled with excitement.
Teammates also swarmed over, surrounding Lu Chuan. Trejo put his arm around Lu Chuan's shoulder, shouting: "This is what we need!"
Mario Suárez rushed over, patting Lu Chuan's back vigorously: "You kid, you've been hiding deep!"
Santi Comesaña also ran over excitedly, hugging Lu Chuan's head: "Fantastic! Fantastic!"
In the stands, fans sang the team anthem, and red and white scarves rolled like waves. The entire Vallecas Stadium turned into an ocean of joy.
The match ultimately ended 1-1. Back in the locker room, teammates were still immersed in the joy of equalizing.
The next day, Spain's Marca published the match report in its sports section: "...Substitute Chinese youngster Lu Chuan saved Rayo Vallecano with a masterful assist.
Although he didn't score, his presence completely changed the course of the game. This 19-year-old showed maturity and skill beyond his age."
In the locker room, Paco Jémez didn't praise anyone, only announcing the schedule for the Copa del Rey match two days later.
When he looked at Lu Chuan, he suddenly stopped.
"You'll start the next Copa del Rey match," Paco's voice was calm and firm, "I don't care if the opponent is in Segunda División B or Tercera División; I want to see goals, understand?"
The locker room suddenly fell silent, and gazes, mixed with surprise, scrutiny, and expectation, all turned to Lu Chuan.
Lu Chuan stood up, looked Paco directly in the eyes, and nodded emphatically: "Understood, coach."
Outside the window, the Madrid night sky was dotted with stars, and the Vallecas Stadium stood quietly in the night, awaiting the next match.