Chapter 42
River Plate came out with a 4-5-1 formation, aiming to dominate the midfield.
Just as they were hailed for having the strongest midfield in the league, their primary weapon was their tiki-taka style of short, intricate passing, expertly evading Boca Juniors' intense pressing.
Tuk.
"From the right!"
Tuk.
"Watch your back!"
Tuk.
"Stay calm! Don't lose focus!"
[An excellent display of passing from River Plate! At the center of it all is this player, Santiago Medina!] [A player with exceptional vision and decision-making skills. As the league's assist leader, Boca Juniors must be wary of his passes. You never know when or where he'll deliver a lightning-fast pass.]
Medina's large, well-balanced physique allowed him to maintain control even against the fierce physical challenges of Boca Juniors' enforcer, Julián Martínez.
Whoosh.
Effortlessly dragging the ball with his sole, he created space before threading a precise pass to the left flank, effectively neutralizing the threat.
[The ball is played out to the left! It's Pedro Mosevich with the touch! He pushes it forward and delivers a low crosssss! Fernando Belmonte charges in!]
This was River Plate's primary offensive strategy—a lethal combination of strong-wing play with low, powerful crosses and Fernando Belmonte's impeccable line-breaking runs.
With this pattern, they dominated the league's scoring and assist charts.
This time, too, they seemed destined to score, but it was thwarted by Fausto Barco.
Wham!
Anticipating Fernando Belmonte's run, Fausto positioned himself first, using his shoulder to gain leverage and guiding the ball safely into the goalkeeper's hands.
[An incredible defensive effort from Fausto Barco! Fernando Belmonte couldn't do a thing!] [A very clever move! Since he couldn't intercept the ball, he neutralized Belmonte instead—a textbook example of "the ball may pass, but you won't."]
"Nice one, Fausto!"
"See? I told you, you could do it!"
Acknowledging his teammates' praise, Fausto raised his hand. When his eyes met Yoo Ji-woo's thumbs-up gesture from afar, he couldn't help but smile.
'It's all thanks to you.'
The training sessions with Yoo Ji-woo had instilled confidence in him, allowing him to make bold plays like this.
Clap.
Yoo Ji-woo also returned the thumbs-up before refocusing on the game.
---
While River Plate relied on their wing attacks, Boca Juniors countered with aggressive central build-ups, utilizing world-class midfielders like Ángel Moliya and Javier Casero.
[Javier Casero and Ángel Moliya with a perfect one-two pass! They bypass River Plate's midfield!] [And here comes a split-second penetrating pass from Ángel Moliyaaa! The ball slices through River Plate's defense and lands at Ricardo Mesa's feet!]
Although Ricardo Mesa got past the defenders, he narrowly missed making contact with the ball.
[Oh no! Ricardo Mesa misses it! That pass was good enough to turn into a goal, but it's such a shame!] [Ángel Moliya, showing the same brilliance he displayed as a Real Madrid midfielder, is replicating that magic at Boca. River Plate must deal with both Ángel and Javier, making their task even tougher.]
Both teams continued to dazzle the field with world-class offense and repeated attempts at goal.
15 minutes.
20 minutes.
Neither side could break the deadlock.
Yoo Ji-woo, trying to find a breakthrough, was heavily marked and struggled to make an impact.
Creak!
Tiago Morales, the player marking Yoo Ji-woo, was infamous for his use of hands. Sticking close, he slyly tugged on Ji-woo's jersey whenever the referee wasn't looking, disrupting his timing.
'Crafty and rough, huh?'
It was classic South American football—tough, dirty, and passionate.
Even as Ji-woo began adjusting to the rough play, the frustration lingered.
"Ugh!"
An elbow jabbed into his chest, drawing a groan.
"Why're you standing there?"
Tiago Morales continued to provoke Ji-woo with every dirty trick in the book. But Ji-woo wasn't one to just take it lying down.
Stomp.
When the referee wasn't looking, Ji-woo casually stepped on Tiago's foot as he passed by.
"Arghhhhh!"
"Wow, you've got quite the lungs for a chicken."
Taunting, Ji-woo smirked as Tiago sprang up, grabbing him by the collar.
"You wanna die, kid?"
"Try me if you think you can."
Tiago Morales, 28, was a rugged South American man, while Ji-woo, at just 16, stood his ground with defiance. The older player lost his cool, and when the referee spotted him grabbing Ji-woo's collar, he immediately pulled out a card.
"He stepped on my foot first!"
"When did I do that? All I know is, he suddenly fell over, grabbed my collar, and threatened me!"
"You little—!"
"Let go of the collar first, will you?"
At the referee's command, Tiago Morales reluctantly released Ji-woo's collar.
"No more unnecessary altercations. Next time, you're off."
With that, the situation ended, though Tiago Morales glared at Ji-woo as if ready to kill him.
The match resumed, with the fiery energy of El Superclásico igniting the field.
Fuming from Ji-woo's taunts, Tiago stuck to him like glue, constantly disrupting him—jerking his jersey, elbowing him hard enough to bruise, and doing whatever he could to rattle the young player.
"You know, no matter how much you beg, I'm not swapping jerseys with you."
"Who would want your stupid jersey?!"
"Then stop pulling on it. Or just go buy one at the fan store if you want it that bad."
Ji-woo wasn't one to stay silent, either. His personality had toughened after the incidents back in Korea, and experiencing South American football only made him more combative.
"Javier!"
Spotting Javier Casero with the ball in midfield, Ji-woo signaled and positioned himself as if to run into the space behind Tiago Morales.
Tiago, keenly aware, shifted his balance to block him.
'This brat—!'
It was a feint.
Pretending to move into space, Ji-woo suddenly cut outside and received the ball, leaving Tiago Morales in the dust.
Breaking into the open, Ji-woo controlled the ball and faced forward, while Tiago, his face red with rage, glared daggers at him.
His eyes now carried a hint of murderous intent.
'You're not getting past me.'
As Tiago Morales burned with determination, Yoo Ji-woo slowly pushed the ball forward, closing the distance.
Once the gap was sufficiently narrowed, Tiago Morales extended his leg first. Seeing this, Yoo Ji-woo crossed his legs.
Swish.
– "Ohhhhhhhhhh!"
A move where the ball traveled from behind Yoo Ji-woo's body over the opponent's head—a skill widely known as the "Rainbow Flick" in Korea.
["He attempts that in this situation! Is Yoo's heart made of diamond? What incredible nerves!"]
["The ball sails over Tiago Morales' head, opening up River Plate's right flank! Yoo darts past Morales with explosive speed and crossessss!"]
The trajectory of the cross bent like a boomerang toward Ricardo Mesa's head. His header narrowly missed the goalpost.
["Ricardo Mesa connects perfectly, but the ball veers just wide!"]
["If it had been just a fraction lower, it would have been a goal! That said, who would've thought we'd see a Rainbow Flick here?"]
Although it didn't result in a goal, the attempt was enough to send chills down River Plate's spine.
Yoo Ji-woo, who created the opportunity, looked at Tiago Morales and grinned.
"What move should I use next to pass you?"
---
The 0–0 stalemate didn't last much longer.
At the 33-minute mark, Santiago Medina delivered a stunning through pass from the halfway line, slicing through Boca Juniors' defense like lightning.
Fausto Barco lunged to block the pass, stretching out his foot, but the ball slipped past him. Fernando Belmont surged through the gap.
"...Ah."
A rushed mistake.
Thud.
It led to a goal.
– "Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!"
["River Plate's star striker, the league's top scorer, Fernando Belmont, finally finds the net!"]
["This goal stems from Fausto Barco's error. He lost his mark momentarily while trying to block the pass, leaving space for Fernando to exploit."]
["And Santiago Medina's unchallenged pass from midfield was crucial. It's no wonder these two players are hailed as the best duo in the Argentine league over the past five years!"]
The River Plate fans roared in support of their team.
Despite his mistake, Fausto Barco's demeanor was different this time.
Smack!
He slapped his own cheek.
"Everyone, I'm sorry!!!"
With a reddened cheek, he shouted loudly.
"I promise I'll make up for this mistake!"
---
Just before the first half ended, River Plate lowered their defensive line to maintain their lead, while Boca Juniors pushed forward aggressively to equalize.
["River Plate drops back to defend, while Boca Juniors pushes their line forward! The intensity from both teams is palpable even here in the commentary box!"]
From Julian Martinez to Javier Casero, the ball transitioned smoothly. Santiago Medina attempted a sliding tackle to block the pass.
Before Javier Casero could react, Ángel Moliya appeared.
Wink.
Ángel Moliya winked before delivering a lobbed pass.
The ball sailed into River Plate's defensive space, targeting Yoo Ji-woo, advancing rapidly from the right flank.
The spinning ball dropped perfectly as Yoo Ji-woo extended his foot for a sublime first touch.
Oooooohhh.
The crowd marveled at his silky control.
["Yoo charges down the right! A flawless touch followed by a dazzling run!"]
Tiago Morales failed to keep up with Yoo's speed. River Plate's defensive line crumbled as Yoo advanced, but backup defenders quickly closed in, narrowing his path.
"Just block the lanes!"
Realizing he might get trapped, Yoo Ji-woo quickly evaluated his options.
In those fleeting seconds, the difference between an ordinary player and an exceptional one lay in decision-making. Yoo Ji-woo was undeniably in the latter category.
Tap.
Yoo Ji-woo pushed forward, luring center-back Manuel Galán toward him. Then he feinted a Marseille turn.
As Galán chased, Yoo flicked the ball into an open space.
It was a variation of the Marseille turn—a "Marseille Pass."
"Stop him!"
Ricardo Mesa intercepted the pass, striking it swiftly to change its direction toward the right corner of the net.
The goalkeeper dived, just managing to tip the ball away with his fingertips.
– "Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
["An incredible save by Omar Sabela! He denies a sure goal for Boca Juniors!"]
Whistle!
["Just before the first half ends, Boca Juniors win a corner kick! Can they capitalize on this opportunity?"]
Yoo Ji-woo prepared to take the corner kick on the right.
"Hey."
Unfortunately, the corner area was packed with River Plate fans, and insults poured from the stands.
Thud.
A banana landed nearby.
"Why don't you eat that?"
The assistant referee issued a warning toward the crowd, but what Yoo Ji-woo did next left everyone frozen in shock.
Even the mocking River Plate fans were stunned.
Crunch.
Yoo Ji-woo casually picked up the fallen banana and ate it. Then, with the banana still in his mouth, he whipped in a cross.
Whoosh.
The ball curved sharply outward.
Soaring above everyone else was Fausto Barco, who leaped with incredible timing. His header rocketed the ball into River Plate's net.
["The equalizer for Boca Juniors! Fausto Barco redeems himself with a stunning header! He roars with redemption!"]
"I told you I'd make up for my mistake!!!"
As Fausto Barco celebrated his redemption, Yoo Ji-woo gave a thumbs-up toward the section where the banana was thrown.
Gulp.
After swallowing the remaining banana, he smiled and said, "Thanks for the assist."