October 15th brought the seventh round of La Liga.
Because of international duty and constant travel, players' form was usually far from its best at this stage of the season.
Fans often call this the "FIFA virus" — the negative impact international fixtures have on players.
This round, Real Madrid traveled across the city to face Atlético de Madrid.
At the time, Atlético had only recently returned to La Liga from the Segunda División.
They weren't especially strong.
But their young captain, Torres, was the brightest rising star in European football.
He had scored sixteen goals last season, finishing fifth in the scoring charts — an impressive feat.
In the match where Su Hang sat on the bench for Spain, the starting forwards had been Raúl and Torres.
The Madrid Derby!
A clash between two young captains also fighting for the national team striker spot!
This game was destined to grab the spotlight.
Before kickoff, most fans believed Real Madrid would win in the end.
Yet, many also expected Torres to outshine Su Hang.
Marca: "Derby Preview! In recent years, Real Madrid has won over 50% of their matches against Atlético, losing less than 25%!"
AS: "Torres has scored five goals in six league matches — he's on fire! If he scores tonight, it will be his fifth league game in a row with a goal, a personal record!"
Sport: "To borrow Rivaldo's words: comparing Su Hang to Torres is disrespectful to Torres. Torres is already among La Liga's top strikers, while Su Hang hasn't even played a full season for Real Madrid!"
Both teams then announced their starting lineups.
Real Madrid:
Su Hang, Raúl
Zidane, Figo, Beckham
Garcia
Roberto Carlos, Helguera, Ramos, Salgado
Casillas
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This was essentially their standard lineup.
The only real decisions came between Helguera or Woodgate, and Salgado or Cicinho.
The rest — Garcia included — had already displaced Thomas Gravesen to secure starting spots.
Atlético de Madrid:
Torres, Kezman
Petrov, Zahínos, Gabi, Rodríguez
López, Ibáñez, Luis Perea, Velasco
Franco
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Gabi and Torres were considered Atlético's twin stars. Gabi was a versatile midfielder with relentless energy and attitude.
But Kezman was arguably the more dangerous forward.
He had dominated the Eredivisie scoring charts for three straight seasons (2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04), winning three consecutive Golden Boots.
In four years at Ajax, he made 176 appearances and scored 129 goals — staggering numbers.
But he flopped at Chelsea, which is why he joined Atlético this season.
And with Forlán having arrived from Manchester United last year and immediately winning the Pichichi with 25 goals, fans viewed Kezman — seen on Forlán's level — with similar fear.
...
From the very start, Atlético tried to use their home advantage.
But Real Madrid quickly took control.
Zidane and Figo dictated the midfield.
9th minute.
Zidane slid the ball sideways to the retreating Raúl.
Quick-thinking, Raúl flicked it with his heel to the unmarked Su Hang behind him.
On the edge of the box, Su Hang was completely free.
Bang!
He struck it.
The ball rocketed into the top corner!
"GOAL! Su Hang scores!"
"Unbelievable! Not even ten minutes in and Real Madrid break through Atlético!"
"Su Hang's league tally is now five — level with Torres!"
"People keep talking about Torres scoring sixteen goals last season, more than Su Hang. But they ignore how different their efficiency is."
"I've said it before: give Su Hang the same chances, and he'll match Torres. He's proving it with goals now!"
"Of course, ninety percent of the credit goes to Raúl. That backheel was pure brilliance, slicing through Atlético's defense."
"Since stepping down as captain, Raúl's play has looked freer, more like the El Capitán of old — not the sluggish version we saw before."
But just three minutes later, the commentators fell silent.
Atlético struck back with a simple counterattack.
Torres surged forward, brushed past Helguera, and smashed it in.
That made it five league games in a row with a goal.
His tally rose to six.
Atlético's players began to grow in belief.
18th minute. Petrov, beaten, yanked Beckham down as he prepared to cross.
24th minute. Gabi went through Figo in a heavy challenge.
Atlético's players repeatedly used fouls to break up Real Madrid's rhythm.
Their possession stats suddenly looked much better.
But the stop-start tempo hurt a team like Real Madrid, who thrived on flowing attacks — while suiting Atlético's counterattacks perfectly.
Still, fouling came at a price.
31st minute.
Su Hang received the ball with his back to goal, held off Ibáñez, and turned to drive forward.
Ibáñez, shoved aside, hauled him down with a tackle.
The referee had seen enough and finally produced a yellow card.
That put a stop to Atlético's rough tactics.
Real Madrid regained control.
43rd minute.
Roberto Carlos charged down the flank.
Su Hang dropped back to link up.
Zidane darted inside to pull defenders away.
Carlos swung a diagonal ball toward Su Hang.
Velasco was alert, convinced Su Hang would play a one-two with Carlos to spring him down the line.
He was ready.
But instead, Su Hang cut inside along Zidane's route.
Gabi, marking Zidane, immediately abandoned him and lunged at Su Hang, stretching a leg to intercept.
Su Hang's rhythm looked too simple — it should have been an easy steal.
What?
Gabi froze.
He hadn't won the ball?
Su Hang had dragged it back.
The ball rolled onto the top of his foot.
He flicked it forward with his toe.
Leaning in, he looked set to burst into a sprint.
His right leg powered forward.
His left knee bent, knocking the ball ahead at blistering pace.
A direct surge forward!
A powerful run through!
Gabi reacted, but too late. Having just lunged, he could only try to pull his leg back.
He couldn't even drag Su Hang down.
Whoosh!
Su Hang blew past him, charging straight into the box.
Zidane, already ahead, had anticipated it the moment Gabi left him.
He drifted left, dragging Luis Perea with him.
That opened a clear path for Su Hang to drive through.
By the time Perea recovered and turned back toward Su Hang, the forward had already gathered the ball.
But before Perea could even steady himself, Su Hang had already shifted his gaze toward Zidane.
...
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