Chapter 876 - 88: The Team’s First Treble (Part 2)
Vidic’s positioning was meant to block the shooting angle, but unexpectedly blocked Van der Sar’s view! The ball traced a rainbow trajectory in the air, bounced oddly upon landing, and shot straight into the net! 2-0! Real Madrid secured the victory!
"An unstoppable world-class goal! Chen Zhong scores a double!" the commentator shouted wildly, "Manchester United’s defense has completely collapsed!"
The Real Madrid fans in the stands were overjoyed, while Ferguson, seeing this from the sideline, couldn’t stop his hands from trembling, and this moment was captured by the cameras.
Countless fans internally sighed, acknowledging that Lord Ferguson’s youth was gone.
In the ensuing match, Real Madrid completely controlled the situation, even starting to play passing and ball control. They passed the ball to Chen Zhong, who then passed it to his teammates.
The sound of "pa pa pa" passing was ceaseless.
When Chen Zhong passed the ball once more, Rooney, who was fiercely vying in the forward line, couldn’t help but jump on the spot. He looked at Chen Zhong and said, "Enough, it’s over, you guys have already won, stop doing this."
...
Finally, the final whistle blew, and Real Madrid ascended to the top of Europe!
The perfect collaboration between Chen Zhong and Kaka allowed Wembley Stadium to witness the glorious moment of the Galaxy Battleship.
But Manchester United could only swallow the bitter fruit of defeat, watching as their opponents reached the pinnacle of Europe.
"This is football!" summarized the commentator, "Real Madrid conquered Europe with their splendid attack, while Manchester United can only wait for the next chance at revenge!"
...
When Chen Zhong scored the second goal, and as Real Madrid calmly controlled the ball on the pitch with Barcelona players running aimlessly, everyone knew the match had ended early, and what remained was merely a matter of time.
Real Madrid fans began to sing joyfully, while Manchester United fans were already exiting, and the UK’s non-Manchester United fans couldn’t bear the sight of a foreign team flaunting their success in their national stadium, so they chose to leave silently.
As the final whistle blew, the scene of mixed emotions played out once again.
Real Madrid players screamed recklessly, raising their hands, relieved, grateful to the heavens that they finally became the victors of the highest club competition on Earth!
Although the cameras focused on Chen Zhong, he was just one member of the Real Madrid celebration. The players quickly gathered, formed a circle, and jumped in celebration, with substitute players joining in, similar to when they won the league.
Mourinho was in high spirits, walking briskly as he went up to hug each player, missing no one, embracing as many players as there were in attendance!
On the Manchester United side, there was gloom. The warriors fought to the end, facing the same outcome as two years ago.
Ferguson’s gaze was steady, but his hands trembled continuously, yet he didn’t forget to congratulate Mourinho, and they exchanged a few words.
Pitiful were those players, Van der Sar’s last match, his gaze dazed, who would want to end their career with a Champions League defeat, though this in no way affected his status as a generation’s Premier League Door God.
Fernandez, who fought hard throughout but had little effect, seemed unable to believe what was before him, staring vacantly into the distance.
Rooney looked like he was about to cry, while Scholes had his hands on his head.
The cameras panned over the Manchester United players, their faces different, but their expressions similar. At this moment, expressions of happiness can vary, but sorrowful expressions are all the same.
The cameras didn’t spend much time on the fans after the match, panning to a female Manchester United fan with tears in her eyes. But the tear-jerker scene didn’t follow; when she suddenly saw herself on the live screen, she burst into a smile.
By rule, Manchester United players were the first to go on stage to receive their awards, with Real Madrid players lining up to welcome them.
Despite being a courtesy, there’s hardly any comfort in passing through the victorious lineup as the losing side.
Though they maintained a degree of grace, and Manchester United players continually shook hands with fans on either side, there’s no doubt that their spirits were at rock bottom, their steps heavy and difficult, with some reluctant to continue the walk, those 107 Steps were painfully long.
Many left without wearing their medals; Giggs and Van der Sar, put them on and then immediately took them off, a career built over decades not content with just a consolation medal.
Then it was Real Madrid’s turn to appear, led by Mourinho with high morale, they marched up the steps, singing and dancing like playful children, in irrepressible joy.
At every turn, Real Madrid players actively shook hands with the nearby staff, Platini first put the gold medal on Mourinho, followed by a long hug, as each player individually received the gold medal from Platini, the most dazzling star, Chen Zhong, quickly accepted his award, at which point Marcelo, suddenly emotional, passionately kissed the gold cup as if it were his lover!
The thrilling moment began!
This time the cup was raised by Chen Zhong, he kissed it then lifted the trophy high, the whole stadium erupted again, golden confetti filled the air, the triumphant anthem played, fireworks lit up around Wembley, this night belonged solely to the great Real Madrid Football Club! Chen Zhong, having the most right to hold the cup, raised it a few times then playfully placed the bottom of the cup on his head, walking down the platform with it.
At this point, Chen Zhong suddenly got playful, attempting to release his grip on the trophy, planning to walk down with it balanced like an acrobat, but clearly, he couldn’t master this balance, quickly abandoning the attempt.
The entire team moved to the photo board, facing the cameras, the players jubilantly sang: "Champions, champions!" Marcelo, highly excited today, finally reclaimed the trophy during the photo, but it was quickly taken again by Cristiano Ronaldo.
A few Brazilian stars formed a circle and started dancing the zombie dance, in such scenes, the naturally exuberant Brazilians were always the standout personas.
The whole stadium of Real Madrid fans sang their anthem, Mourinho stood with hands in pockets, full of ambition, savoring this exhilarating moment under the London sky.
The players then moved to the side of the Real Madrid fan stand, cheering and jumping, for their victory was inseparable from this best twelfth man.
Pepe entered the field, cutting the net and draping it over his shoulders as a keepsake.
Finally, Mourinho was lifted by the players, enjoying the most glorious moment.
The parade in Wembley Stadium was a small-scale celebration, much like two years ago, a grander parade is set to unfold upon their return to Madrid.
Joy and excitement already ripple through every street and alley of Madrid.
...
After this match, multiple records were set, Real Madrid achieved their first Triple Crown in team history, and Mourinho led a team to the Triple Crown for the third time, achieving the feat consecutively with different teams.
It can be foreseen that for quite some time, he will be hailed as the world’s number one coach.
The Spanish media naturally showered praise on Real Madrid, with "Marca" captioned "Dreamlike Real Madrid", while "Diario AS" read "Champion Real Madrid".
Comprehensive media bowed to Real Madrid, "The Vanguard" titled "Real Madrid enters the Divine Hall of Soccer", while "El País" joked saying, "Wembley has fallen in love with Real Madrid", and "World Newspaper" was unequivocal: "Real Madrid, the master of football".
"Marca" commented: "After a stunning performance, Real Madrid claimed their first team history Triple Crown. Now we can say, Real Madrid is Europe’s best team; the victory at Wembley only reinforced this fact."