With no hope of advancing, they could only endure the tears for now, striving to defend the last twenty minutes!
Even if they lost, they absolutely could not lose so badly!
But the current score of four to two was already pretty bad; they couldn't concede any more goals!
"It's clear that the Vatreni's defensive capabilities are truly excellent. Once every player focuses entirely on defense, the Tangguo team really struggles to find any good opportunities!"
"The players on the field for the Candy team are all giving their utmost in attack, constantly probing near the penalty area and attempting shots, but ultimately no goals have been scored!"
"This compact defense is truly difficult to break."
Time ticked by. The current score on the field brought a sense of relief to the Candy fans by the sidelines.
Given the current situation, winning this match was practically a foregone conclusion. Even if an accident occurred, it would at most be a draw, and they could still crush the opponent in extra time.
After all, how could the team with one less player score? Let alone two goals.
As most people had predicted, in the last 20 minutes of the match, not only did the Vatreni completely abandon their attack, but the Tangguo team also failed to score again.
The distance between players within the penalty area was barely a meter, leaving absolutely no opportunity to shoot.
Although several shots were on target, they were unable to penetrate the dense wall of players inside the box.
If a shot wasn't blocked by a defender, the goalkeeper had very few difficult saves to make, posing little challenge for him.
Even Cao Baming attempted two shots near the penalty area, neither of which resulted in a goal.
However, at this very moment, there was not a hint of disappointment on his face. This was because Cao Baming had already silently counted his current two shots, along with the one before the foul, totaling three.
The next goal would be a sure goal, so it was best to save it for stoppage time!
The opposing defenders were all maintaining their best form. Although their morale seemed greatly affected, each player was desperately trying to defend their last shred of dignity.
If they knew that Cao Baming was already contemplating how to score the winning goal in the final second of stoppage time, they would surely not be able to persevere.
As they successfully dragged the game into the last minute of regular time, all the Vatreni players showed a hint of relief. However, when the referee held up the board for stoppage time, their expressions instantly turned tense again.
"Fourteen minutes??"
"WTF???"
The assistant referee, with a blank expression, held high the stoppage time for this match. Simultaneously, the broadcast camera conveyed this information: the stoppage time was a staggering 14 minutes!
This was unprecedented!
Since that was the case, there was no more time to spare for them to be astonished. The match on the field continued, and at this moment, the ball once again came to the Vatreni's feet.
The 37-year-old Modrić was clearly showing signs of fatigue; he could barely hold on. As an veteran of 37, his total distance run on the field was still the highest.
The head coach was still reluctant to substitute him, because if Modrić were replaced, not only would the attack become weaker, but defense would also face potential risks.
"Just a little longer!" the head coach clenched his fist!
With twelve minutes of stoppage time, the team might even have a chance to turn things around. They couldn't give up until the very last moment!
In the final moments, the Vatreni used their last substitutions. When the match reached the 95th minute, they made two changes, including the exhausted Modrić.
The two players brought on were both tall center forwards, aiming to chase a miracle in the last minute.
With this substitution, the Vatreni sounded the charge for attack. Their defensive formation suddenly loosened; they were no longer parking the bus near the penalty area but pushing all players forward!
Seeing this, Cao Baming naturally wouldn't let them get away with it. If they dared to take such a risky move, they should be aware of the consequences.
"Horn of attack!"
In an instant, the Tangguo team's offensive form transformed. In the final moments of the match, they unleashed a powerful surge.
The fans by the sidelines erupted in thunderous cheers, as if the match had only just reached its climax at this point!
The Vatreni launched their final attack, having given their all.
With the last 5 minutes of the match remaining, after winning the ball in midfield, the Vatreni entered the Tangguo team's penalty area for the second time in the second half and took a shot.
However, this shot was still taken by Perišić, who had played over 90 minutes. The quality was not high, and it was easily saved by the goalkeeper!
But the Vatreni's attack did not stop. Ten men, displaying tenacious fighting spirit, instantly became like madmen, their power even comparable to eleven.
They had nothing left to lose; only this little bit of time remained. If they couldn't equalize the score, they would be completely out of this World Cup, with no turning back.
Finally, with their third shot attempt, the Vatreni earned a corner kick!
With only two minutes left in the match and trailing by two goals, everyone was extremely tense, quickly getting ready inside the penalty area, unwilling to waste a second.
Goalkeeper Livaković also voluntarily came out of his goal. Although this was not the final attack, his height advantage significantly increased the team's chance of scoring from the corner kick.
Coupled with his long limbs, as long as his teammates could hold off the opponents for the first moment, he would also have time to retreat!
After all, he was also the one with the most energy at this moment!
The roar of the crowd signaled their desperate gamble, as the goalkeeper's move indicated their all-or-nothing attitude!
With the referee's whistle, the corner was taken!
Cao Baming's eyes flickered. His position was right beside Livaković, the most threatening player. There was a significant height difference, but Cao Baming was the only one on the team who could physically overpower him.
They both leaped simultaneously, but the ball flew towards the far post.
Just as Budimir was about to make contact with the ball, the tall and strong Li Wei suddenly appeared, intercepting him and clearing the ball!