Chapter 237: Round of 14 — Facing the Netherlands
As the match neared its end, Su Bai, a student watching the game with Xia Qi's parents, hurriedly gathered his belongings.
His heart was full of expectation and nerves; he hoped to secure a prime spot at the players' tunnel, yearning to get Xia Qi's autograph.
Mrs. Xia noticed Su Bai's eagerness and smiled gently to reassure him: "Don't worry. If you want Xia Qi's autograph, I can arrange it."
Su Bai looked gratefully at Mrs. Xia, though he didn't fully believe she would pull it off — after all, Xia Qi was a star on the pitch and countless people dreamed of meeting him, let alone obtaining his signature.
As the crowd slowly moved toward the exits, Xia Qi's parents and Su Bai made their way to the players' tunnel.
At the entrance Mrs. Xia walked straight over to the England logistics staff and exchanged a few words. To everyone's surprise, Su Bai was invited to follow them into England's dressing room.
Stepping into the locker room, Su Bai was stunned by the scene.
The interior was simple and professional; players were busy — some changing, others discussing match details.
In a corner, Xia Qi was drying sweat with a towel and his gaze suddenly fell on Su Bai. In that instant Su Bai felt time stand still.
Xia Qi smiled and walked over; Su Bai was so nervous he could barely speak.
Mrs. Xia soothed: "Don't be nervous. Xia Qi is very easygoing."
Xia Qi approached the student and said, "Mom, Dad."
"Mom, Dad?"
"Heh!" Mrs. Xia laughed. "Don't be nervous, little Su — Xia Qi is my son."
Then she said to Xia Qi: "This boy did me a big favor. Can you sign for him?"
Xia Qi took the jerseys out of Su Bai's bag — ten Arsenal number 9 shirts — and quickly signed his name fluently on each, then handed them back: "Hope you like them."
Su Bai's eyes filled with tears of excitement; his hands trembled as he took the shirts and thanked him repeatedly. Xia Qi patted his shoulder and encouraged him to keep supporting him.
"Xia Qi, can we take a photo together?" Su Bai mustered the courage to ask.
"Of course," Xia Qi replied gladly.
So Su Bai took pictures with Xia Qi, Xia Qi's family, and even the whole England squad.
After the match, Xia Qi returned to the team and then, with Theo Walcott, Luke Shaw, his parents, and Su Bai, went to dinner.
It was a real dinner.
The match ended at 7:30 p.m. Brazil time; by the time Xia Qi left the hotel it was already around 9:00 p.m.
The five of them sat around a bubbling hotpot, laughter and conversation making the night unforgettable.
Su Bai posted the dinner video in his class group and it immediately exploded across social circles.
After the match, the media noise almost drowned out the afterglow of the game.
Reporters' keyboards sounded like another form of cheering, and with flowery language and exaggerated metaphors they catapulted Xia Qi and the England team into the spotlight.
The London Daily ran: "Xia Qi, the backbone of England — his performance was stunning!" and detailed Xia Qi's excellent play.
They likened him to a defensive commander; every interception and pass was precise, as if he had laid an invisible net across the pitch that no one could escape.
The Masika Gazette depicted Xia Qi as a fearless warrior: "On the pitch Xia Qi is like a brave warrior; every tackle and every pass is full of strength and wisdom."
The Picture Post focused on the whole England team: "This England side moves like a carefully arranged symphony." They described England's attacks as a gale and their defense as a rock wall, with no visible flaws.
And AS expressed praise most directly: "Their attack is like a storm, their defense a steel great wall — they have the look of champions."
They described every key moment in the match: from Xia Qi's bold tackles to Daniel Sturridge's thunderous header, from Greece's valiant counterattacks to England's merciless domination.
These reports were like a grand banquet, elevating Xia Qi and England to the heavens. Their performances were magnified until they seemed the biggest favorites to win the World Cup.
Yet amid all the praise, Dutch media sounded particularly discordant.
They did not join the blind hype around Xia Qi and England; instead they offered a considered analysis of the upcoming England–Netherlands clash.
"De Telegraaf" (Voice of the Netherlands) reported remarks from Louis van Gaal and Robin van Persie.
Louis van Gaal said in an interview: "England are indeed strong, but we're not afraid of them. We have our tactical system and our players; we'll handle this match our way." His words showed firm belief and resolve.
Robin van Persie put it more bluntly about Xia Qi: "Xia Qi is an excellent player, but football is a team sport. We can respect opponents, but we won't fear them." His tone carried a challenge, as if declaring war on Xia Qi and England.
These reports sparked wide attention and discussion in the Netherlands.
Fans voiced support for van Gaal and van Persie, saying the Dutch team was fully capable of beating England.
As the match day approached, the verbal sparring between the two sides intensified. Players from both teams joined in the exchanges, sometimes overtly, sometimes subtly expressing disdain and provocation.
England defender Glen Johnson said: "The Dutch attack is sharp, but our defense is even firmer. We'll show them what real defensive art is." His words brimmed with confidence and provocation.
Dutch midfield general Wesley Sneijder retorted: "Johnson's words just show his ignorance and immaturity. Our attack is world-class — they'll pay for underestimating us." His comment was a sharp slap in response.
Players from both sides volleyed words in front of the media; the exchanges grew more cutting and intense. Still, none of this affected their on-field performances — they all understood the result would be decided on the pitch.
…
While England and the Netherlands traded words, other Round-of-16 matches continued.
On July 1, France beat Nigeria 2–0; Germany edged Algeria 2–1. Algeria lost with honor.
On July 2, Argentina beat Switzerland 1–0; Belgium beat the United States 2–1.
Kevin De Bruyne had a goal and an assist in extra time. That night Xia Qi called Kevin to congratulate him.
Xia Qi hoped Kevin could, in the quarterfinals, knock out favorite Argentina so they could meet in the semifinals.
With that, the World Cup quarterfinalists were decided.
Top half:
Brazil vs Colombia,
France vs Germany.
Bottom half:
England vs Netherlands,
Argentina vs Belgium.
…
After three days' rest, the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals began on July 5.
First up was the heavyweight clash between France and Germany.
France's young players, trailing in the game, didn't step up when needed — a warning for England's also-young squad.
Germany's earlier poor and awkward showing against Algeria, contrasted with their advancing, suggested maybe their good fortune was real — if what came before wasn't a stunt, luck had favored the Germans.
There's a World Cup law: peaking too early gets you knocked out — France was a case in point.
The Netherlands used this match as an example, arguing that England, also young and peaking early, would similarly lose to the Dutch.
Four hours later, the hosts Brazil faced Colombia.
James Rodríguez, though eliminated later, performed brilliantly and scored his sixth goal of the tournament.
On July 6 in the early hours, Argentina played Belgium.
Because England had a match four hours later, Xia Qi and his teammates didn't watch the live broadcast.
Before that game, Xia Qi texted Kevin De Bruyne: "Handsome, I heard São Paulo's night view is beautiful — come with me!"
São Paulo was the city hosting the bottom-half semifinal.
Unfortunately, when Xia Qi arrived at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, he received a call from Kevin.
Kevin sounded like he was about to cry on the phone: "Sorry, Xia! I can't accompany you to see São Paulo's night view."
Argentina beat Belgium 1–0.
Lionel Messi didn't score; Ángel Di María was the team's best performer, though post-match media still heaped praise blindly on Messi.
The Messi-worshippers: "Either you can't stop Messi or you still can't stop Messi."
"Thinking one step ahead, no need for physical confrontation!"
In fact, Belgium didn't lose to Messi so much as to their own coach's bad decisions.
If José Mourinho or even Roberto Mancini had been in charge, perhaps the Argentina side with Messi would have gone home instead…
Arriving at the Fonte Nova Arena, Xia Qi splashed his head with cold water and submerged it to force himself calm.
Kevin De Bruyne's low mood had affected his own emotions.
Wait — hold on!
I'm supposed to be on one-click AFK mode!
I — have no feelings!
Calm my ass!
"Xia, do you want to attend the press conference with him?"
"Isn't the captain supposed to go?"
"The media specifically asked for you to attend — you and van Persie have an unspeakable story."
"No wonder Xia Qi has no girlfriend — he's into that kind of thing."
"Shut up!"
"Ha ha ha…"
(END CHAPTER)
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