Time was running out.
Liverpool immediately protested, insisting that there should have been at least five minutes of added time.
Manager Rafa Benítez was booked for his complaints.
In truth, the stoppage time wasn't unreasonable.
Though three goals had been scored in the second half—with numerous corners and free kicks breaking up play—Liverpool's attacks had remained remarkably fluid.
They had dominated possession, pressing Real Madrid for most of the half.
The interruptions hadn't all come from fouls.
Champions League officials tended to be strict about stoppage time.
The Premier League, on the other hand, often favored Manchester United with longer extra minutes—so much so that people jokingly called it "Ferguson Time."
As the game became more transparent over the years, and with the introduction of VAR, stoppage time gradually increased.
During the 2022 World Cup, some matches even had eight minutes added—perhaps due to broadcasting demands or match control.
Either way, it was a far cry from the old standard.
...
Ninety-first minute.
Alonso suddenly burst forward, linking up with Gerrard in a sharp one-two that split the defense.
That kind of forward run from a Defensive Midfielder was unexpected and easily created space.
Gerrard played a perfect through ball.
Alonso broke into the edge of the penalty arc, the ball rolling up fast from behind.
As soon as it reached him, he could have flicked it forward and entered the box unmarked.
But then—
Su Hang, who had tracked back to defend, slid in from behind!
"Su Hang's going for the slide! Has he lost his mind?"
"A tackle from behind? That's a straight red!"
"Wait—hold on, that's… that's an interception?!"
Amid the gasps of disbelief, Su Hang's foot hooked the ball cleanly.
Cannavaro's Flying Tackle!
Special effect: clean tackle, keep possession!
At that instant, Su Hang's boot was less than twenty centimeters from Alonso's heel.
From certain angles, it looked like he'd clipped him.
The Anfield crowd erupted in boos.
But what stunned them even more—Alonso didn't even stumble!
"Bro, did you activate invincibility mode? He definitely hit you!"
While the crowd was still processing what had happened, Su Hang got to his feet and looked upfield.
Robinho was raising his hand near the halfway line, then darted past it in an instant.
Hyypiä immediately dropped back.
Carragher turned and chased Robinho.
Their coordination was crisp.
Dudek stood five or six meters outside the penalty arc, preparing to retreat.
Su Hang's pupils narrowed.
Dudek!
Thud!
Su Hang nudged the ball forward—then unleashed a booming long pass!
It shot past the charging Gerrard, skimming through the air at blistering speed.
But the trajectory was odd.
It was low.
How low?
Low enough that the ball passed under Gerrard's waist.
If Gerrard had tried to block it with his body, he'd be risking… personal injury.
After all, Gerrard had welcomed a daughter in 2004, and with another child due in May, he wasn't about to take that kind of risk.
He did still hope for a son—not out of preference, but for a complete family.
So, yes, he made a decisive choice to let it pass.
The ball tore forward, and by the time it soared above Robinho's head, it was still rising—showing no intention of dropping.
This wasn't a pass to Robinho!
This was a Low Pass!
A low, flat trajectory with minimal height—easy to intercept, hard to control, unpredictable on the bounce.
But its one overwhelming advantage? Speed.
So Su Hang's real target was—
"He's going for goal! Su Hang launches it from the backfield—but this isn't a simple long pass!"
"He's not aiming for Robinho—it's the Liverpool goal!"
"What vision!"
"He spotted Dudek outside the penalty box!"
"What a daring attempt!"
"Dudek's sprinting back, but he's not fast enough—he's trying to track the ball while judging its flight path!"
"He won't make it!"
"Dudek jumps—trying to intercept mid-air!"
"He missed it!"
"Dudek didn't touch the ball!"
"It bounces once—heading for goal!"
"It's in!"
"Oh my god! It's in! That wasn't just a midfield lob—that was a sixty-meter wonder goal!"
"GOAL!"
"Su Hang! Real Madrid captain Su Hang seals the victory!"
Anfield fell silent.
When Su Hang had unleashed that long ball, the noise had already died.
Every fan held their breath.
When the ball bounced into the net, many Liverpool supporters nearly forgot to exhale.
Three–one!
Six–four on aggregate.
Liverpool were finished.
There was no way they could score twice in the final minute.
Even if they had once created the Miracle of Istanbul, overturning Real Madrid here was an even greater impossibility.
God doesn't grant the same miracle twice.
Despair blanketed Anfield.
On Real Madrid's bench, everyone leapt to their feet and rushed toward the corner flag.
Even Figo, dragging his injured leg, limped toward Su Hang.
"God! You're a god!"
"Insane! How could you even try that?!"
"You're fucking unbelievable!"
"I'm proud of you, Su!"
"Captain Su, you're my one and only Captain Su!"
The players surrounded Su Hang, celebrating wildly—even before the final whistle.
At some point, faint applause began to ripple from the stands.
On the stadium screen, the scorer was shown:
Su Hang! Su Hang! Su Hang!
Hat trick!
Su had really done it!
No Premier League defender could stop him.
Not one!
Some Liverpool fans found themselves applauding without even realizing it.
They had just witnessed an unbelievable match.
No—two unbelievable matches.
Because in the previous leg of this Champions League tie, Su Hang had also scored a hat trick.
Back-to-back hat tricks!
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The applause grew louder.
More and more Liverpool fans accepted the inevitable and applauded Su Hang.
Even Liverpool's players didn't feel anger—because they understood.
This Su Hang was simply… unstoppable.
"Oh! The Liverpool fans know it's over. They've accepted their fate and are applauding Su Hang!"
"Back-to-back hat tricks! Su Hang has scored six goals across both legs—all of Real Madrid's goals!"
"He single-handedly eliminated Liverpool, delivering Champions League revenge for Real Madrid!"
"Maybe this explains why Real Madrid were knocked out by Liverpool last season."
"It really was because Su Hang wasn't there!"
"Incredible!"
"This goal takes Su Hang's Champions League tally this season to eight—surpassing Shevchenko's seven to become the top scorer!"
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
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