Wang Shuo knew this well, of course.
’A physical battle?’
’I’d definitely lose.’
’Trap the ball and turn?’
’That’s completely impossible.’
’A first-time shot?’
As Amri’s pass came his way, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck Wang Shuo.
He suddenly planted his left foot.
Mavraj was a left-footed player. Seeing Wang Shuo plant his left foot, he immediately assumed Wang Shuo was going for a direct shot.
The ball was a cut-back pass, heading toward Wang Shuo’s right foot, a spot Mavraj couldn’t reach.
So, without a second thought, he went straight into a slide tackle.
Mavraj’s calculation was, to say the least, precise.
Logically, even if he couldn’t get the ball, his large frame could still maximally block the angle for Wang Shuo’s right-footed shot.
But unexpectedly, after planting his left foot firmly, Wang Shuo didn’t shoot with his right. Instead, he met the incoming ball and guided it with the inside of his foot.
It was like a divine dragon’s tail swing, redirecting the ball straight toward the far corner of the goal.
This sudden flash of brilliance not only completely foiled Mavraj’s plan but also left everyone in the stadium dumbfounded.
The goalkeeper stood frozen to the spot as if petrified.
Nearby, the other center-back, Maltritz, snapped out of it and immediately charged toward the goal, launching into another slide tackle in a desperate attempt to clear the ball off the line.
But the ball was moving too fast. How could he possibly make it in time?
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!"
"It’s in!!!!"
"The 87th minute! The 87th minute! My God, Wang Shuo has just delivered a spectacular scorpion kick!"
"This is absolutely incredible!"
"I can’t imagine how he managed to do that!"
The moment he scored, Wang Shuo turned and sprinted toward the sideline.
At almost the same time, Klopp burst from the away team’s dugout, storming out of the technical area and charging straight for Wang Shuo.
The burly Uncle Mustache waved his fists, a ferocious roar on his face, looking as if he was about to pummel Wang Shuo right there on the sideline.
But Amri and Helle got there first. They reached Wang Shuo, tackled him to the ground by the sideline, and piled on top of him one after another.
Meanwhile, on sports forums in China, countless domestic fans who were watching the Capital Television live broadcast witnessed this astonishing scene.
"Holy shit, Wang Shuo is a badass!"
"That dragon’s tail kick has secured the half-season championship!"
"What a beautiful goal!"
"Worthy of the European Golden Boy Award! That scorpion kick was so imaginative!"
In the Mainz Market Square, countless Mainz fans leaped from their seats the moment Wang Shuo scored, all raising their arms and cheering.
They let the flying beer drench them, wildly venting their inner excitement and passion.
Half-season champions!
For over a hundred years, Mainz had always been a second-rate presence in the German football scene.
Even after Klopp led the team into the Bundesliga, they still flew under the radar.
The nickname "Arsch" was like a brand of torture, seared onto Mainz.
In Germany, everyone who mentioned Mainz thought of that nickname.
But now, this "Arsch" team they looked down on and dismissed had defeated numerous strong opponents to become the half-season champions!
What was there left to say?
What *could* they say?
"Mainz, you’re mighty!!!"
"Wang Shuo, you’re a badass!!!"
The fans in the Market Square were screaming their lungs out.
Back in Bochum, Wang Shuo finally managed to break free from his entangled teammates. As he got up from the grass, he discovered his jersey had been torn by someone at some point.
Meanwhile, manager Klopp, looking thoroughly dejected, was being shown a yellow card by the referee.
The two of them walked side-by-side back toward their dugout.
"Wang, well done!"
"I know. Just try not to be so impulsive next time."
Klopp froze for a second.
’Me, impulsive?’
’How was I impulsive?’
’Is this brat lecturing me?’
’Is he trying to start a rebellion?’
Just as Klopp’s brow furrowed in anger, Wang Shuo had already chuckled, changed into a new jersey, and bolted off.
The rest of the match was essentially garbage time.
Bochum wanted to turn things around, but it was simply impossible.
Mainz ultimately defeated Bochum 2-1 away from home, thanks to Wang Shuo’s one assist and one goal.
And at the same time, Stuttgart scored against Bayern again in stoppage time.
Khedira scored another one.
The most ridiculous part was that both goals happened in stoppage time, and both were scored by Khedira.
This made everyone at Mainz cheer for Khedira in unison.
Sometimes, reality is even more fantastical than fiction.
Hoffenheim also drew.
Rangnick’s team, playing at home against Schalke 04, somehow failed to win the match despite their opponent receiving two red cards. The two sides shook hands on a 1-1 draw.
For Wang Shuo, there was more than just one piece of good news.
Ibisevic failed to score in his match.
After 17 rounds of matches, Mainz, with a record of 12 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses, had secured 38 points, placing them at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Following closely behind was Bayern with 35 points.
Then came Hertha Berlin with 33 points.
Hoffenheim was in 4th place.
As a newly promoted team, Mainz had miraculously won the Bundesliga half-season championship!
With 19 league goals, Wang Shuo surpassed Ibisevic to take the top spot on the scorer’s chart.
Ibisevic was second with 18 goals.
The moment the match ended, everyone from Mainz stormed the field, celebrating with wild abandon.
To them, the half-season championship was *the* championship!