World Cup 2026: Mbappe is luckier than Zhuge Liang.
For the first time in World Cup history, 2026, a match had to be temporarily suspended due to heavy rain and lightning. The incident occurred on the Philadelphia pitch during the match between France and Iraq, just before the second half was about to begin.
Before the bad weather hit, Kylian Mbappe had already made his mark. In the 14th minute, from a well-placed pass by Michael Olise, the French captain controlled the ball neatly before unleashing a beautiful curling shot from outside the penalty area. The ball traveled on a perfect trajectory, beating the Iraqi goalkeeper and opening the scoring for "Les Bleus". Immediately afterwards, dangerous weather conditions forced the referee to temporarily stop the match. More than two hours passed before both teams could return to the pitch.
It seemed as though the sudden rain would cool down Mbappe's scoring frenzy. This is similar to the story in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where Zhuge Liang tricked Sima Yi into the Shangfang Valley where landmines were planted. But the rain ruined everything, washing away the great plan of the "King of War." However, this unusually long break did not affect Mbappe's enthusiasm. The French player was luckier than Sima Yi, as his World Cup conquest continued.
In the 54th minute, Ousmane Dembele capitalized on a mistake by the Iraqi defense to steal the ball and set up a teammate. Mbappe didn't miss the opportunity, firing a precise shot to complete his second consecutive brace in the tournament.
Messi overcomes 5 obstacles to score goals.
In the match against Austria, Argentina won 2-0, with the superstar wearing the number 10 jersey making a significant impact. In the 38th minute, from a well-placed cross by Facundo Medina on the left wing, Messi made a clever run and unleashed a low, powerful shot to open the scoring for Argentina.
However, the moment that captured the attention of the entire football world came in the final minute of added time. In a chaotic situation in front of the Austrian goal, the ball bounced to Messi's position with five opposing players surrounding him.
Surrounded by a dense crowd, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner maintained incredible composure. With just a few quick touches, Messi created space and unleashed a decisive shot through a sea of defenders' legs, finding the back of the net and securing a 2-0 victory for Argentina.
Messi's one-on-five goal quickly went viral on social media. Many fans saw it as the latest proof of his ability to make a difference in seemingly impossible moments.
Messi's breakthrough through five defenders to score can be seen as similar to Guan Yu's feat of passing through five passes and slaying six generals to bring Liu Bei's two wives back. Although Guan Yu defeated many generals, the story of him passing through five passes is still the most memorable for many.
Are the players all trying to emulate Prime Minister Liu the Hunchback?
During the match between the Australian and US national teams, many Australian players appeared with large cuts on the back of their calves. In fact, this is not a new phenomenon; it has been seen in professional football for about eight years now.
Stars like Bukayo Saka and Leroy Sane have often used this method. According to the players, the main purpose is to create a more comfortable feeling during matches.
Modern soccer socks are typically made from polyester to maintain their shape and minimize water absorption. However, this material can sometimes feel too tight around the calf, especially for players with well-developed leg muscles.
Many believe that cutting a portion of a sock helps reduce pressure on muscles, improve blood circulation, and limit the risk of cramps. Although there is not much scientific research to prove its effectiveness, this trend is becoming increasingly popular among professional athletes.
This reminds us of the story in the novel "Prime Minister Liu Yong," where officials would tear up their new clothes and roll around on the ground, soiling them like beggars. They did this so they could feel comfortable when meeting their superiors, demonstrating their virtuous and frugal lifestyle.
Some experts believe that psychological factors also play a crucial role. When players feel more comfortable, they can be more confident and perform better. Therefore, the seemingly strange sight of torn socks is gradually becoming a familiar image on the pitches of the 2026 World Cup.
Source: https://danviet.vn/world-cup-2026-mbappe-may-hon-gia-cat-luong-d1437512.html
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