The match in Brazil had just come to an end.
Almost instantly, the news of the Chinese national team advancing to the World Cup knockout stage swept across the entire country.
The Chinese media went into overdrive.
Newspapers, sports channels, and the front pages of every major video platform were all dominated by the same headline.
This was no longer a short-lived online buzz.
From the moment fans in China witnessed that historic match early in the morning, the entire day seemed charged with excitement.
No matter who they ran into, the first thing out of their mouths was always the same:
"Did you watch the game this morning? That was insane—China was unbelievable!"
Advancing from Group B alone was already an achievement of enormous value.
More importantly, the Chinese team's World Cup journey was still alive—and that was what truly ignited the fans.
At that point, the full Round of 16 lineup had not yet been finalized.
Only Groups A and B had confirmed their qualifiers.
Group A: Brazil, Mexico.
Group B: Netherlands, China.
In Group C, fellow Asian side Japan had recorded one draw and one loss. Their chances of advancing still existed, but they were slim.
South Korea and Iran were in similar positions.
In the best-case scenario, Asian teams could scrape through as group runners-up. In the worst case, China would be the only Asian team left standing.
Naturally, Chinese fans weren't particularly concerned with those possibilities.
As long as China had qualified, that was all that mattered.
What happened to everyone else was their problem.
While celebrations erupted across China, fans in other countries could only watch with a mix of envy and disbelief.
Aside from a few powerhouses that had already secured their tickets, many national teams were still walking a tightrope.
Group D, in particular, completely shattered expectations.
Featuring traditional giants like England, Italy, and Uruguay, it was widely considered a "group of death."
And yet, it was Costa Rica—the ultimate dark horse—that turned everything upside down.
After losing their opening match to Costa Rica, Uruguay bounced back with consecutive victories over England and Italy, climbing from the brink of elimination straight into second place.
Meanwhile, the heavily favored England and Italy were knocked out together.
It was a scenario almost no one had anticipated.
Before the tournament, most fans believed England and Italy would advance together—or at the very least, that Uruguay would be part of the conversation.
No one expected Costa Rica to burst onto the scene and completely rewrite the script.
After three rounds, Costa Rica topped the group with two wins and a draw, while Uruguay finished second with two wins and one loss.
England and Italy, once considered locks, were both eliminated.
Compared to Group B, the chaos of Group D was even more shocking.
At least the Netherlands had firmly taken control of their group.
Group D, however, was a total demolition of expectations.
Fans celebrated wildly, while gamblers quietly stared at their ruined tickets.
But that was the World Cup—utterly unpredictable.
As the days passed, one group after another finalized their standings.
...
On June 27, the group stage officially came to an end.
The full list of qualifiers for the 2014 Brazil World Cup Round of 16 was confirmed.
Group A: Brazil, Mexico.
Group B: Netherlands, China.
Group C: Colombia, Greece.
Group D: Costa Rica, Uruguay.
Group E: France, Switzerland.
Group F: Argentina, Nigeria.
Group G: Germany, United States.
Group H: Belgium, Algeria.
All sixteen knockout-stage teams were set.
The group stage had been chaotic, dramatic, and unforgettable—but now, the real battle was about to begin.
Thanks to the tournament format, the knockout bracket had already been determined.
And China's next opponent was confirmed early.
Following the A1–B2 pairing, the Chinese national team would face the host nation of this World Cup—
Five-time champions.
Brazil.
Although the matchup had long been expected, it still left Chinese fans feeling deeply uneasy.
Back in the 2002 World Cup, China had been drawn into the same group as Brazil.
The result was brutal—a 5–0 defeat that ended their campaign in humiliating fashion.
Since then, even when China managed to qualify for subsequent World Cups, they had never broken through the group stage.
This time, history had finally been rewritten. China had reached the knockout rounds for the first time—only to find Brazil standing in their path once again.
Five-time champions Brazil were, without question, a footballing powerhouse.
As the most successful national team in World Cup history, their strength needed no explanation.
Brazil, the land of football, produced elite talent generation after generation. The sport was woven into the country's identity.
Facing the host nation on their own soil was, by any standard, an enormous challenge.
Judging purely by overall strength, this Chinese team was still not on Brazil's level.
That said, China had already managed to draw with the Netherlands.
If everything aligned, an inspired performance wasn't entirely impossible.
The odds were slim—but not zero.
Meanwhile, at Brazil's national team training base—
Oscar stood quietly, staring at the upcoming match schedule.
His gaze lingered on one name in particular.
Kai.
The man who had once haunted him in the Premier League had appeared again.
This time, however, things were different. Kai no longer had Arsenal's full firepower behind him, while Oscar was backed by a stacked Brazilian squad.
Oscar slowly clenched his fist.
"Just wait," he muttered.
...
Unaware that he had once again become someone's fixation, Kai's world revolved around training.
After the group stage, the team was given a short period of rest.
The Round of 16 match was scheduled for two days later, on the 29th.
Brazil versus China would open the knockout stage.
In the meantime, the coaching staff poured over footage, dissecting Brazil's tactics again and again.
This Brazil might not have possessed the overwhelming dominance of the 2002 side, but they were still formidable.
The squad was filled with stars from top European clubs—Neymar, Oscar, David Luiz, Marcelo—each a threat in his own right.
With Neymar as the focal point, their fluid, agile style had carried them comfortably through the group stage.
Of course, this Brazilian team wasn't flawless.
They had weaknesses. Clear ones.
And those cracks gave China a chance—small, but real.
"Everyone outside is saying Brazil got the perfect draw," Chen Man said, leaning closer to Kai.
His lips were pushed into a pout, clearly irritated.
He didn't agree with the Brazilian media at all.
Kai merely shrugged. "Even if we've reached the knockouts, in the eyes of many teams, we're still underdogs."
"Underdogs who drew with Spain and nearly beat the Dutch?" Chen Man shot back.
Kai chuckled. "If it were the Spain from 2010, I'd agree with you."
Chen Man stomped his foot in frustration. "That's what's so annoying!"
"If it annoys you, stop talking about it," Kai replied calmly. "Save that energy for the match."
He glanced over. "How's your stamina? Still got legs?"
Chen Man patted his chest confidently. "No problem at all."
Then he shot Kai a sideways grin. "Kai."
"Stop right there," Kai said immediately, raising a hand. He knew that tone far too well.
"Kai," Chen Man said quickly, "pass me the ball more. I've found my rhythm. I'll score in no time."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "How many?"
"A lot," Chen Man answered without hesitation.
Kai laughed. "Those shots and crosses you had in the group stage nearly gave me a headache. If it weren't for your pace, Porto would've sent you packing already."
"Is speed my only weapon?" Chen Man protested. "My dribbling is good too! Like Henry!"
"Alright, alright," Kai waved him off. "I'll pass you the ball—but whether you finish it is on you. If you can't, then keep doing your poacher routine and leave the real duels to Wang Yi."
"Poacher?" Chen Man snorted. "That's called being smart."
"Fine—smart," Kai agreed. "But don't get greedy. Pass when you should."
Chen Man muttered under his breath, "He's gotten bigger, and now he's always threatening people…"
"Energetic, are we?" Kai shot back.
He clapped his hands once. "Come on. Training time. Work on your crosses—your shooting isn't improving overnight."
"No!" Chen Man protested. "Let me practice shooting first, alright?"
"Go ask Cap for shooting priority," Kai said flatly. "Asking me won't help."
Hearing that, Chen Man immediately brightened.
"Heh! Wang is easy to talk to. He'll give me a few chances."
...
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