Facing the abundance of defensive players before him, Hazard had no choice but to reduce his sprinting speed and use changes in rhythm to weave past those around him.
As expected, through this maneuver, Gabriel and Thomas both lunged and missed, completely left behind by Hazard.
However, at this very moment, another player had already arrived at full speed: Cao Baiming.
Full-speed running and running with the ball are incomparable. Furthermore, it was obvious that Hazard's speed, no matter how fast, could not match Cao Baiming's.
After several frequent dribbles, he successfully bypassed another center-back. However, Cao Baiming in front of him stood like a mountain blocking the goal.
Perhaps Hazard could have dribbled past several players consecutively as in his prime, but he was helpless against Cao Baiming.
He knew that relying on explosive speed to brute force his way through was not an option. In desperation, he chose to use technical skills to overcome the opponent.
All dribbling techniques ultimately boil down to deception. As long as the opponent can be successfully fooled, the move is essentially successful.
Little did he know how naive this idea was at this moment.
In an instant, Cao Baiming's eyes flickered. Once his attention was focused on Hazard, countless details presented themselves as if playing on a slideshow.
Even a slight deviation of the ankle to the right by one centimeter, a difference in the direction of his gaze and knees while running, or a slight movement of his fingers, all escaped his sight.
Tricking Cao Baiming was no easy feat, especially since he could read minds.
Although this ability might not be as literal as being able to see everything in a person's mind, this talent, after two breakthroughs, now exerted an effect on the field that was infinitely close to that.
After a rouf, Hazard unexpectedly added a step-over. Yet, despite this, Cao Baiming simply stretched out his foot and effortlessly dispossessed him.
Hazard, sprinting, successfully entered the penalty area, but he quickly realized the ball was no longer at his feet. He was dribbling air!
The fans were stunned, erupting in thunderous cheers.
This scene was not the first time many had witnessed it. They couldn't understand how Cao Baiming could dispossess the ball without the dribbler even realizing it!
Hazard had been equally perplexed by this question in the past. Simply watching replays of the match revealed no issues; it even looked like match-fixing, fake rather than real.
Only after experiencing it firsthand today did he truly understand what it felt like!
Who knows what despair it was to have the ball disappear just as you entered the penalty area for a shot!
Such anticipation was child's play for the current Cao Baiming, posing no difficulty at all. It was just a routine operation.
The match continued, but the situation had subtly shifted. Real Madrid inexplicably found themselves at a disadvantage.
Even the head coach couldn't fully comprehend how an advantage had so inexplicably turned into a disadvantage.
Could it be solely due to Cao Baiming?
Don't underestimate the situation. The match had barely passed the eighty-minute mark. Did they think it was over?
Real Madrid, after all, was a top-tier powerhouse and would not concede so easily. They fought with all their might to equalize.
However, Cao Baiming's mind was already contemplating extending the lead. After all, he still had at least one sure goal yet to be used, so extending the lead was not a difficult task.
Hazard's trump card had now been completely played out. After coming onto the field, he was active for over ten minutes, dazzling all the fans and players, but now he had once again fallen silent.
Modric, Rodrygo, and other stars couldn't make any dazzling plays either. All they could do was stabilize the current situation, but they knew in their hearts that a single slip-up could trigger another explosion.
And the ones who would undoubtedly be bombed by these explosions were their own players.
Cao Baiming looked at the disheveled Real Madrid players on the field and sighed.
In normal circumstances, such a strong team should have presented some difficulty. But now, they seemed utterly defenseless.
His current strength had far surpassed everyone on the field, not to mention having Messi and Henry on his team. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before any league completely lost its suspense and meaning.
Disappointment. Cao Baiming was utterly disappointed in Real Madrid.
At this moment, the players on the field were still fighting with their last ounce of energy. Cao Baiming had no intention of waiting any longer. Before the match ended, a signature long-range shot decisively killed all suspense!
The ball traveled across half the pitch and nestled into the far corner of the opponent's goal, shattering the last shred of fantasy in the hearts of the Real Madrid fans.
Time to wake up from the dream!
"Beautiful! A beautiful long-range shot!"
"Congratulations to Cao Baiming for completing his brace! Arsenal leads 4-2! The match has reached a point where it has lost all suspense. Let's congratulate Arsenal in advance!!"
When perfection reaches its extreme, it becomes art!
In the final moments, the Real Madrid players endured in despair. Hope was now a luxury too great for them to afford!
The gap was visible to the naked eye. This wasn't just a tactical disparity; the individual strength of the players was clearly overwhelming. And this was the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League, facing Real Madrid, a super powerhouse historically renowned!
The fans were disappointed. The Real Madrid fans angrily waved their scarves, booing their team.
However, many believed that even though they lost this match, it didn't signify much, as Real Madrid's squad was not complete, having lost two key players.
Coupled with the club's astonishing transfer plans, their future looked promising, that was for sure!
But regardless, this was a UEFA Champions League knockout match. One loss and it's over, regardless of whether you're strong or weak.
Arsenal advanced, Real Madrid was eliminated. The post-match news quickly dominated the headlines!
This century's duel, which had captivated thousands of fans, had concluded.
As Cao Baiming walked off the field, the system's voice echoed in his mind. Hearing that familiar sound, he knew that a generous reward was awaiting him.
[Congratulations to the host for scoring in the Champions League and completing a brace! Settling the total points obtained currently...]