Fran Villalba faced an open goal and easily tapped it in.
The moment the ball rolled into the net, Vallecas Stadium fell silent. 2-1, Almería completed the comeback.
Lu Chuan knelt on the grass, his fists pounding the ground. Sweat mixed with unwilling tears, dripping onto the green field.
Núñez walked over to him, extending his hand to pull him up.
"You played very well."
Núñez's eyes were filled with respect, devoid of the victor's arrogance.
"But tonight is our night."
Lu Chuan grasped his hand and slowly stood up. Although he lost the game, he had great respect for this world-class striker.
Only a few minutes remained in the match. Rayo Vallecano found it very difficult to create a miracle.
Almería began to control the tempo and solidify their defense. Every pass consumed time, eroding Rayo Vallecano's last hope.
In the 89th minute, Lu Chuan received a cross from Trejo inside the box.
He leaped high, heading the ball with all his might. The ball, carrying all his unwillingness and anger, flew straight towards the top right corner of the goal.
Martínez made a world-class save, tipping the ball over the crossbar.
"What a pity!" The commentator's voice was filled with regret, "Lu Chuan's header was of very high quality, but Martínez's save was even more spectacular!"
The corner kick was taken, and chaos erupted again in the penalty area.
Lu Chuan searched for an opportunity among the crowd, his eyes burning with his last fighting spirit. The ball soared in the air, and everyone was scrambling for this last hope.
Savić's header was blocked by an opposing defender.
The ball rebounded to Lu Chuan's feet, and he shot without hesitation.
Bang!
The ball struck the post heavily, emitting a crisp sound. That sound was particularly jarring in the silent stadium, announcing the demise of Rayo Vallecano's last hope.
In the 92nd minute, Trejo's long-range shot from outside the box went over the crossbar.
The final whistle blew.
The score was set at 2-1. Rayo Vallecano lost away from home, suffering a humiliating four-game losing streak.
The players collapsed on the grass; some covered their faces with their jerseys, others sighed to the sky. The four-game losing streak heavily weighed on everyone's hearts.
The situation in the league table became even more severe. They had been caught by Elche behind them, only holding onto sixth place by goal difference. Their playoff qualification was in jeopardy.
Lu Chuan did not fall.
He slowly stood up and walked towards his nearest teammate, Pascual. The young center-back was lying on the grass, his shoulders trembling slightly.
"Get up."
Lu Chuan extended his hand, his tone gentle but firm.
"The game is over, but we are not over yet."
Pascual looked up, his eyes filled with guilt.
"Captain, I'm sorry. It was my fault for not defending Núñez."
"It's not your fault."
Lu Chuan pulled him up and patted his shoulder.
"Núñez is a world-class player; it's already impressive to contend with him."
He walked to the next teammate, and then the next.
Comesaña, Savić, Trejo... Lu Chuan pulled up every teammate who had collapsed on the ground.
"Hold your heads high."
His voice echoed across the stadium; though not loud, every word was clear and powerful.
"We lost the game, but we did not lose our dignity."
His teammates gathered around him, the despair in their eyes gradually replaced by a different emotion.
Although defeated, their Captain still stood tall. This gave them the courage to continue fighting.
Núñez walked over, holding his jersey.
"Jersey swap?"
His expression was serious, without the slightest hint of mockery.
"You are the strongest striker I've met in segunda división, and the most respectable Captain."
Lu Chuan took off his number 19 jersey and exchanged it with Núñez.
"See you in La Liga," Núñez patted his shoulder, "I believe you'll get there."
In the stands, scattered Rayo Vallecano fans began to applaud.
The applause gradually spread, and even some Almería fans joined in. They paid their respects to this team that, though defeated, still showed honor.
In the locker room, the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy.
The players sat dejectedly in their respective spots, no one speaking. The gloom of the four-game losing streak hung over everyone.
Lu Chuan was the last to enter the locker room.
He surveyed every downcast face, his heart a mix of emotions. AS Captain, he had to take responsibility.
"This is my fault."
His voice broke the silence.
"AS Captain, I failed to lead everyone to victory. I apologize to everyone."
Trejo suddenly looked up.
"No, Captain. This is not your fault."
Other teammates also shook their heads. Although they lost the game, Lu Chuan's performance was impeccable.
His record of scoring in 17 consecutive games was still ongoing; he had given his all.
"We still have a chance."
Trejo's voice was a bit hoarse, but still firm.
"In the final round of matches, we still have a chance."
Lu Chuan nodded. Although the situation was grim, they were not completely out.
AS long AS they could defeat Racing Santander in the final round, and Elche failed to take all three points, they still had hope of entering the playoffs.
Assistant Coach Juan walked into the locker room, his face solemn.
"gentlemen, I know everyone is very frustrated."
His voice was low, but it carried an unyielding strength.
"But please remember, we still have one last chance. Racing Santander has already been relegated, they have no motivation to fight."
"And we do."
Juan looked at Lu Chuan, his eyes full of trust.
"We have the best Captain, the most united team. AS long AS we are united, a miracle will happen."
A spark of hope rekindled in the players' eyes.
Although the four-game losing streak had plunged them to rock bottom, the spirit of this team had not been broken.
Back at the hotel, Lu Chuan sat alone in his room.
His phone screen lit up; it was a message from Paco.
"Captain, you did very well. I'm proud of you. Keep your head up, our fight isn't over yet."
Seeing this message, a warmth surged in Lu Chuan's heart.
Even in the most difficult times, there were still people who believed in him and supported him.
His phone vibrated again; this time it was a video from Esther.
In the video, Esther's parents were watching a replay of the match in the living room.
Her father intently watched the screen, unconsciously leaning forward whenever Lu Chuan touched the ball.
"Good shot!"
When he saw Lu Chuan's goal, the old man excitedly jumped off the sofa.
"This kid's got some skills!"
Esther's mother smiled and shook her head nearby.
"Look at you, more excited than watching your daughter's movies."
"That's different," the father responded seriously, "This is my future son-in-law's game."
At the end of the video, Esther secretly aimed the camera at her father.
The old man gave a thumbs-up to the camera.
"Good kid, responsible! Even after losing, he can stand up and comfort his teammates; that's a real man!"
Lu Chuan finished watching the video, his eyes a little moist.
The support from Esther's family made him feel the warmth of home. No matter how turbulent the outside world, at least there were still people who always believed in him.
He picked up his phone and replied to Esther.
"Thank you all. I will prove that I am worthy of this trust."
Soon, Esther replied.
"You've already proven it. Mom and Dad both really like you. Mom even asked when I'm bringing you home for dinner."
Lu Chuan smiled, his first genuine smile of the night.
The next day, the reports from various Spanish media were surprisingly positive.
They did not criticize Rayo Vallecano's four-game losing streak; instead, they praised the fighting spirit the team showed in adversity.
Marca's headline was: "Warriors Who Lost with Honor."
The article detailed Lu Chuan's actions after the match, commending the leadership he displayed even after defeat.
"He lost the game, but he won the future."
AS's commentary was even more direct: "Such a Captain is worthy of any team."
Even the usually harsh Sport gave a positive review.
"Lu Chuan's actions demonstrated what a true leader is. In the most difficult moments, he did not shy away but chose to take responsibility."
On social media, fans' reactions were equally unexpected.
"Although we lost, I am proud of such a Captain."
"So what if it's a four-game losing streak? AS long AS we have this spirit, we won't fall."
"Lu Chuan, you are the best Captain!"
The voices of support far outweighed the criticism. Fans were moved by Lu Chuan's sense of responsibility and expressed their support.
At the training ground, the team reassembled.
Despite the four-game losing streak, the players' morale was surprisingly good.
Lu Chuan's performance had given them confidence, making them believe that this team still had hope.
"gentlemen."
Juan stood in front of the tactics board, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"In the final round, our opponent is Racing Santander. They have already been relegated and have no motivation to fight."
"This is our chance."
He drew a formation diagram on the tactics board.
"We must attack with all our might, striving for a big win. At the same time, we must also pay attention to the result of Elche's match."
Elche's opponent was the mid-table team Las Palmas, a team with nothing to play for.
On paper, Elche had a high probability of winning.
But football is round, and anything can happen.
"No matter what, we must do our part."
Lu Chuan stood up, looking at each of his teammates.
"AS long AS we give our all, fate will be on our side."
His teammates responded in unison, their voices echoing across the training ground.
Although the situation was grim, the fighting spirit of this team had not been broken.
They knew that AS long AS they could win the final round, they still had hope of entering the playoffs.
And AS Captain, Lu Chuan had to lead the team to create a miracle.
After training, Lu Chuan stayed on the field alone.
He looked at the distant sunset, his mind filled with thoughts.
The four-game losing streak was the most difficult moment of his professional career. But he was not broken; instead, he became stronger.
His phone vibrated, and the system's notification sound rang out.
"Ding! Detected that the host has shown excellent leadership in adversity."
"Received special reward: Mental attribute 'Resilience' + 3."
"Current LP balance: 500+100 = 600LP."
Lu Chuan looked at the system panel, his mood complex.
His personal stats were still growing, but the team's defeat made these numbers meaningless.
What he needed was not personal glory, but team victory.
"Next game."
He murmured to himself, his gaze becoming firm.
"We must win the next game."
The sun set in the west, and the training ground gradually quieted down.
Lu Chuan took one last look at the field and turned to leave.
Tomorrow, they would face the most crucial battle of the season.
Win and live, lose and die.
And he had to lead the team to victory.