Chapter 79 Super, Super Huge Mistake!
Both newcomers, Lin Quan started and scored three goals. Even if he's substituted in, he should at least score one or two, right?
If he goes on without scoring, the media will compare him with Lin Quan later, and that would be embarrassing.
"Okay, run into a good position, and I'll pass to you!"
Lin Quan is playing as an attacking midfielder now. He's not so focused on scoring anymore, but rather wants to try more on organizing the attacks.
Belarus players were already confused; the opponent scored five goals in just fifty minutes, making them feel insulted when they saw another unknown young player coming in.
So, Morata got unlucky.
Seeing the opponent losing their spirit and not being strong, he thought he could score one or two goals.
But when he got on the field, he found out the opponent's defense was tough.
Whenever he got the ball, they tackled him as if they had an irreconcilable grudge, aggressively knocking him over.
Poor Morata, under their intense physical challenges and collisions, couldn't even hold the ball, let alone score.
With many defenders around him, Lin Quan didn't dare risk passing to him.
"Alvaro, play smarter, don't wrestle with their defenders, you need to run!"
Seeing Morata being tackled again by defenders, Lin Quan went over to help him up and couldn't help but remind him.
Morata nodded heavily. After some struggles, he realized Belarus defenders were a bunch of muscular men.
His small frame couldn't handle them.
So, he humbly listened to Lin Quan's advice and stopped foolishly waiting in the penalty area for the ball, instead started making more runs, trying to create shooting opportunities while on the move.
In the 68th minute, after Martinez intercepted the ball in the backfield and passed it to Cazorla, Cazorla passed it to Lin Quan.
Lin Quan passed the ball to Silva and made a breakthrough.
Silva made a precise through ball, finding Lin Quan in the penalty area.
Lin Quan saw Morata making a run out of the corner of his eye, so he passed it to him. It was a perfect opportunity to score.
Unfortunately, Morata was a bit slow, failing to position himself properly, and the ball was cleared out by the opposing defender.
"Sorry, my bad!"
Morata gestured an apology. He and his teammates lacked coordination this time, and his start was a bit slow; otherwise, it would have been a great chance.
Fortunately, with a bunch of top midfielders on the team, Spanish forwards never lacked scoring opportunities.
In the 83rd minute of the match, Morata finally scored.
Fabregas intercepted in the frontcourt and passed horizontally. Lin Quan in the middle of the penalty area chipped the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper. Facing an open goal, he unselfishly passed the ball to his teammate.
Morata didn't waste Lin Quan's assist, easily shooting into the empty net, making it 6-0!
This was Morata's first goal in his national team career, and Lin Quan also got a hat-trick of assists, single-handedly leading Spain to all six goals!
After scoring this goal, Spanish players began to ease off, playing more conservatively.
The thoroughly confused Belarus players seemed to have given up struggling.
In the end, Spain won 6-0 away against Belarus, securing their second consecutive victory in this qualifying campaign.
Next, they would play at home against the strongest opponent in the group—the French team!
After the match, Lin Quan, who performed excellently throughout the game, was surrounded by reporters.
If he didn't speak, the reporters probably wouldn't let him return to the locker room.
Helplessly, he had to accept the interviews.
"Lin, I'm a reporter from As, what are your thoughts on today's match?"
"The performance of my teammates in today's match was excellent. We executed the coach's tactics seriously, and after a hard-fought match, we finally won. We played very happily in this game!"
A hard-fought match?
If we hadn't watched the game live, I almost believed it! But the reporters thought he was just saving face for the opponents, so they didn't expose him!
As's reporter continued to ask:
"What's your opinion on breaking the record for the youngest appearance and youngest hat-trick set by your teammate, Fabregas?"
"Seske is a very outstanding player, as well as my senior and teammate in the national team. There are many things I can learn from him.
Breaking these records doesn't mean anything; instead, it reminds me all the time that I'm still far away from these seniors. They have been playing for the national team for many years, while I'm just a newcomer.
So I need to work harder to follow in the footsteps of those seniors in the team and strive for more honors for the national team!"
The reporters were a bit surprised; this kid speaks eloquently! A journalist from Marca hurriedly handed over the microphone:
"Lin, do you know you've just broken the record for the youngest goal and the youngest hat-trick in the Spanish national team?"
Lin Quan shook his head: "I haven't paid attention to these. I just want to focus more on the game with my teammates and dedicate more exciting games to the fans, winning more honors."
On the side, the press officer heard Lin Quan's answer and glanced at Morata, who was boasting to the reporters about scoring just one goal. He couldn't help but sigh:
Why is the difference between people so big?
Lin Quan doesn't care about these records, but the Spanish media does! After the match, because the team won away, Spain was immersed in joy from top to bottom.
And among them, as the biggest contributor to the team's victory, Lin Quan naturally was praised by the Spanish media.
"The Genius Who Emerged Out of Nowhere, He's the One Spain Has Been Looking For!"
"One Match Fame, 16-Year-Old Rookie Breaks Six National Team Records in One Battle!"
"Scoring Six Goals in One Match, Who Still Says Spain's Strikers Are Weak?"
"Aiming for the World Cup in Brazil, Who Can Stop the Bullfighters Legion?"
...
The media's praise turned the previously unknown Lin Quan into a sensation in Spain.
His highlights from the game against Belarus were everywhere on the internet.
Under each highlight reel, countless Spanish netizens were fervently discussing:
"This guy, covering his jersey number, isn't he Messi?"
"This dribble feels like Messi's!"
"Tearful, our Bullfighters Legion finally found a suitable forward!"
"Lin is only 16 years old this year, he can at least serve the national team for 20 years, twenty years, haha, I'm almost laughing!"
"Lin is so outstanding, why did Barcelona loan him out!"
"Yeah, Barcelona should recall him quickly so we can see his performances in La Liga!"
"The level of La Liga is higher than Bundesliga, and it focuses on technique. We really should recall him; otherwise, I'm worried he'll waste his time in the Bundesliga!"
...
The lively discussions on the internet brought Lin Quan a large number of fans.
His account, which originally had just over ten thousand followers, skyrocketed to 500,000 in less than three days after the match, and it was still growing at a rate of tens of thousands per day.
Due to the overwhelming number of notifications and fan comments, Lin Quan had to turn off the notification reminders to finally quiet down.
Although he had made a name for himself in the Bundesliga, his popularity within Spain was not high.
This match was truly his breakthrough moment in terms of fame.
...
Not yet seventeen years old, becoming the attacking core of the world champion team, coupled with... Mediterranean, on the island of Malta.
Here, enjoying the sun and beach, Pep Guardiola, who is on his honeymoon, sets down the newspaper, showing a satisfied smile.
This kid feels more promising than he did when he was playing football!
Back in his national team days, he wasn't as famous as him!
Thankfully, he's achieved some success in coaching, otherwise, he might really be outdone by this kid.
But this kid is improving rapidly. At this rate, next year's Golden Boy award, the World Cup the year after, and even the Ballon d'Or...
Guardiola didn't dare to continue thinking because he could feel the pressure.
He quickly sat up and picked up the materials about Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga, studying them seriously.
Although he hasn't officially taken charge yet, it's necessary to prepare in advance.
Otherwise, if the team's performance isn't good next year when he goes to Bayern, he might really lose to his son.
On the side, his wife, Sara, was both angry and amused watching. They had agreed to come out on a honeymoon trip to relax, but what happened? Guardiola has only rested for a few days?
Although they agreed to come out for a vacation to relax and enjoy their honeymoon, Pep Guardiola has turned back into a workaholic!
And what triggered his fighting spirit wasn't the football maniac Mourinho, but his own stepson.
Is this really necessary?
Pep, your damn competitiveness!
(End of this chapter)