The night sky above Vallecas Stadium was exceptionally deep, and the empty stands appeared solemn and majestic under the lights.
Despite the absence of cheering fans, countless eyes worldwide were focused here through television screens.
Spanish TV commentator Fernando Palomo cleared his throat:
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 33rd round of the Segunda División, as Rayo Vallecano hosts Fuenlabrada. The undisputed focus tonight is Lu Chuan, the 19-year-old Chinese striker who is challenging the Segunda División's consecutive goal-scoring record."
"He has now scored in 9 consecutive matches, just one step away from equaling the 10-match record held by Raúl González."
His partner, Juan Carlos, added, "If he can reach 12 matches, he will set a new record in segunda división history."
In the tunnel, there was only the sound of cleats on the ground. Everyone held their breath, no one spoke, because they all understood the weight of this match.
"Ready, brother?" Trejo lightly patted his shoulder.
Lu Chuan nodded, his eyes as firm as steel.
Fuenlabrada's players filed out, and head coach José Ramón Sandoval made his final hand gestures from the sidelines.
His tactical intention was very clear—a 5-3-2 iron curtain defense, specifically designed to restrict Lu Chuan.
"Look at their positioning." Suárez frowned, "This is turning the penalty area into a parking lot."
Rayo Vallecano vs. Fuenlabrada
Match: Segunda División Round 33
Stadium: Vallecas Stadium (Home)
Rayo Vallecano - Head Coach: Paco Jémez
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI: Dimitrievski (Goalkeeper); Advíncula, Catena, Savić, Luna (Defenders); Comesaña, Suárez (Defensive Midfielders); Isi Palazón, Trejo, Álvaro García (Forwards); Lu Chuan (Forward)
Fuenlabrada - Head Coach: José Ramón Sandoval
Formation: 5-3-2
Starting XI: Pol Freixanet (Goalkeeper); Mikel Iribas, Flores, Juanma Marrero, David Prieto, Cristian Glauder (Defenders); Pablo Clavería, Hugo Fraile, Randy Nteka (Midfielders); José Fran, Oriol Riera (Forwards)
The whistle for the start of the match blew, and Fuenlabrada immediately showed their defensive resolve.
Center-back Flores stuck close to Lu Chuan, and whenever the ball was passed forward, he would use his body to block Lu Chuan's run.
In the 5th minute, Lu Chuan touched the ball for the first time. He received a pass from Trejo near the center circle, and just as he was about to turn, he felt a strong sense of pressure from behind.
"Don't think you'll get past easily." Flores's voice sounded in his ear, his movements clean but extremely oppressive.
Lu Chuan tried to use the Direction Change Acceleration Master technique to break free, but his opponent's anticipation was extremely precise.
The ball was dispossessed, and Fuenlabrada immediately launched a counter-attack.
"Beautiful defense!" The commentator praised, "Flores showed rich experience; he knows how to deal with this type of technical forward."
In the 12th minute, Rayo Vallecano earned a free-kick opportunity in the attacking third.
Lu Chuan stood over the ball, his eyes scanning the wall and the goalkeeper's position.
A run-up, and a kick! The ball curved, but the angle was slightly off, grazing the post and flying out over the byline.
"So close!" Palomo's voice was full of regret, "Lu Chuan's free-kick technique is good, but his luck doesn't seem to be with him today."
In the vip box, Esther gripped her hands tightly. She could feel Lu Chuan's struggle on the field, the helplessness of wanting to score but being surrounded by layers of defense.
She watched Lu Chuan's futile runs in the encirclement again and again, and only then did she understand that football is not just the ecstasy of scoring, but also the agony of powerlessness like this moment.
By the 20th minute of the match, Fuenlabrada's defensive strategy began to show its effectiveness.
They not only limited Lu Chuan's performance but also created threats through quick counter-attacks.
Former Barça player Oriol Riera showed rich experience in the attacking third.
In the 23rd minute, he received a long pass from midfield, chested the ball down, turned, and shot, but the ball went just over the crossbar.
"Riera's experience is too rich." Juan Carlos analyzed, "He knows how to create threats with limited opportunities."
Lu Chuan constantly moved in the attacking third, trying to find space.
But Fuenlabrada's defensive system was extremely tight; whenever he received the ball, 2-3 players would immediately surround him.
In the 28th minute, a rare opportunity arose. Álvaro García successfully broke through on the left wing and delivered a precise cross to Lu Chuan in the penalty area.
Lu Chuan leaped high, but Chico Flores's interference prevented him from getting full power. The header went wide of the target, another chance slipped away.
"This is the value of experience." The commentator sighed, "Flores may not be fast, but his positioning and timing are perfect."
Time passed minute by minute, and Rayo Vallecano's players began to show impatience. Passing errors increased, and most shots were hurried long-range attempts.
In the 35th minute, Comesaña got the ball in midfield and, seeing Lu Chuan's run, sent a direct long pass.
But the ball had too much power; although Lu Chuan caught up to it, he had already lost the best shooting angle.
"Too impatient!" Paco Jémez shouted from the sidelines, "Be patient! Opportunities will come!"
But the players' mentality had already been affected. The pressure of the record was like an invisible mountain, weighing on everyone's hearts.
In the 38th minute, Fuenlabrada once again demonstrated their counter-attacking prowess. Midfielder Hugo Fraile delivered a precise through ball, and José Fran was through on goal.
At a crucial moment, Dimitrievski showed the value of a goalkeeper. He decisively rushed out, used his body to block the shooting angle, and parried the ball away.
"A divine save!" The commentator shouted excitedly, "Dimitrievski saved Rayo Vallecano!"
As the first half entered injury time, Rayo Vallecano finally got a golden opportunity.
Trejo got the ball in midfield, his eyes scanning the attacking third. Lu Chuan, understanding his intention, began an offside run, timing it perfectly.
A precise through ball! The ball cut through Fuenlabrada's defense, and Lu Chuan successfully beat the offside trap, going one-on-one with the keeper!
"Chance! A golden chance!" Palomo's voice almost cracked.
Lu Chuan dribbled into the penalty area, and goalkeeper Pol Freixanet decisively rushed out. The two faced each other in a one-on-one situation in the box.
This was a golden opportunity to break the record! Lu Chuan adjusted his stride, preparing to shoot. But at this critical moment, a trace of hesitation appeared in his heart.
Should he choose angle or power? A push shot or a chip shot?
This momentary hesitation became a fatal flaw. Freixanet blocked the ball with his leg, and the opportunity was lost.
"Oh my god! Saved!" The commentator's voice was full of regret, "Lu Chuan missed a golden opportunity to score!"
Lu Chuan buried his face in his hands in frustration, kneeling on the grass. He knew that such an opportunity might not come again throughout the entire match.
The halftime whistle blew, and the score remained 0-0.
The atmosphere in the changing room was unusually heavy. The players all had their heads down, silent.
45 minutes of effort seemed to have been in vain, and the pressure of the record made everyone feel suffocated.
Lu Chuan sat in the corner, staring blankly at the ground. The scene of that one-on-one chance replayed repeatedly in his mind; each recollection filled him with more regret.
His teammates secretly watched him, wanting to comfort him but not knowing what to say. At such a moment, any words seemed pale and powerless.
Paco Jémez slowly walked into the changing room, his face terrifyingly calm. The entire room fell into a deathly silence, with only the heavy breathing of the players audible.
The coach's gaze swept over each player, finally stopping on Lu Chuan. He walked up to Lu Chuan, squatted down, and met his gaze.
"Kid, do you still believe in yourself?"
Lu Chuan looked up, his eyes showing disappointment, but even more, an unyielding fire.
"Coach, believe in me, and please believe in my teammates."
Paco nodded with satisfaction, then stood up to face the whole team.
"gentlemen, I know the first half was difficult. But this is football, this is a challenge."
His voice gradually rose, "We still have 45 minutes, and countless opportunities. Forget the record, forget the pressure, we fight only for victory!"
Trejo was the first to stand up: "Coach is right! We are Rayo Vallecano, we never give up!"
Other players also stood up, their fighting spirit rekindled in their eyes.
"In the second half, we need to change tactics." Paco walked to the tactics board, "Replace Suárez with José Pozo to increase offensive input."
Lu Chuan took a deep breath, feeling the support and trust of his teammates. The pressure was still there, but he was ready to face the challenge.
The record could wait, but victory could not.
The whistle for the second half was about to blow, and the real battle was just beginning.