As that long-range strike flew out, the Spanish fans erupted in thunderous cheers.
Only now did they finally believe that Spain truly had the ability to go toe-to-toe with France.
Because they had a healthy Su Hang.
In the ninth minute, the Gun King struck.
Henry drifted to the left flank, received the ball, and then put on a full display—driving forward, beating his man, and cutting inside all in one fluid sequence.
This was the famous "Henry Zone."
Although Henry was France's lone striker, he wasn't a traditional target man. He played as a roaming focal point, drifting wide to create chances.
To unleash his full power, he needed a real target man alongside him.
In that sense, he greatly resembled the future French superstar Mbappe—who was now sitting in the stands, secretly taking off his France jersey and putting on Spain's Su Hang No. 23 instead.
Unfortunately, Henry never had his own Benzema or Giroud.
He had Trezeguet, but Trezeguet wasn't a target man, which was why he ended up getting fewer minutes at this World Cup than the 32-year-old former Arsenal veteran Wiltord.
Mbappe: But I didn't have one either! Benzema hardly ever showed up, and I never got along with Giroud. Even at the club, nobody ever said they'd pair me with a target man.
Henry: That rough? Well then, I feel better already.
As Ramos—whom Henry had just beaten—caught up and shoulder-checked him off balance, Henry's footing slipped. Casillas rushed out and claimed the ball.
In the 14th minute, Zidane spun past Alonso with a smooth Marseille Turn in midfield, then sent a diagonal pass forward.
Ribéry cut inside from the right, took the ball in stride, and curled a left-footed shot toward the far corner.
Unfortunately, it drifted well wide.
To most fans, Ribéry was just an unremarkable World Cup newcomer—this was his first call-up to the French national team.
And with the scar across his face making him look older (and scaring kids), you would never guess he was only twenty-three.
Many so-called prodigies achieve far less than Ribéry by age twenty-two to twenty-four.
Yet at this stage, Ribéry was still considered a "late bloomer."
In 2002, he was still playing in France's third division and working construction with his father.
In 2003, he topped the third division in assists and helped his team earn promotion to Ligue 2.
In 2004, he made twenty Ligue 1 appearances, scored twice, and was named France's Young Player of the Year. Fans even dubbed him "Robert Pires II"!
In 2005, he moved to Marseille. During the 2005–06 season, he made fifty-one appearances across all competitions, scoring twelve goals and supplying many more, earning Ligue 1's Best Young Player award and the Goal of the Year award.
His breakout year was also 2004.
Just like Su Hang.
At this stage, Ribéry still hadn't patched up his weaknesses.
His dribbling was sharp, his passing solid, but his finishing was rough.
That's why that golden curling chance ended up in the stands.
He wasn't even on the level of the young Argentine Messi in the same role.
And even years later, Ribéry's finishing never quite reached elite level.
Still, his balanced use of both feet helped improve his scoring rate.
In the 18th minute, Su Hang dropped deep and exchanged two quick wall passes with Raúl.
That came from two years of club chemistry—
and it was one of Su Hang's most common link-up patterns at Real Madrid.
Spanish fans dubbed these rapid sequences of Wall Passes the "Ping Pong Pass."
Bang!
On his third touch, Su Hang didn't stop the ball at all—he lofted a first-time chip into the box.
Villa timed his run perfectly and broke free for a one-on-one.
Bang!
"Oh! Villa misses the one-on-one!" Tommy Smyth slapped his thigh. "Barthez's rush closed down the space—he got too close!"
"But Villa was also half a step late on his burst. If he'd reacted quicker, he would've had more options."
"Still not enough chemistry."
"In this team, only Raúl and Su Hang can combine like that."
Villa: And you're not going to say a word about Su Hang overhitting that pass, huh?!
Front-line chemistry is different. It demands far more instinct and understanding.
When midfield or defense looks forward, it's usually long balls or direct passes—far less reliant on timing between players.
In the 21st minute, Zidane slipped past Senna's challenge with a neat feint, then lofted a through ball over the top.
And the quality was far superior to Su Hang's earlier effort.
Perfect depth—too far for Casillas to rush out.
Perfect speed. Perfect curve.
Ideal for a tall forward to attack in the air.
Because… inside the box, Henry leapt up, outmuscling Puyol, and powered a header toward the far corner.
Casillas flung himself at it and even got a finger to the ball, but couldn't keep it out.
"GOAL!"
"Thierry… Henry!"
"France scores first!"
"A perfect connection between Zidane and Henry!"
"That's how a world-class midfielder controls the precision of a pass!"
"Moments ago, Su Hang attempted a similar ball from almost the same spot—but the quality wasn't even close to Zidane's assist."
"Given their club connection, that must be Su Hang learning from Zidane."
"But sadly, even if the world's best midfielder kindly teaches you, not everyone can grasp those secrets."
"As a striker with incredible finishing ability, Su Hang might be the worst passer Zidane has ever tried to mentor!"
The commentators' earnest analysis was basically salt in Spain's wounds.
In the stands, Mbappe had somehow slipped a France jersey back on.
Facing the suspicious stares of Jennifer and Clara, he explained, "As everyone knows, I'm French. Being proud of my country is only natural."
This kid—nothing like a bit of discipline to smarten him up.
The broadcast then cut to Zidane and Su Hang.
Everyone clearly saw Zidane raise an eyebrow at him.
Zidane casually wandered over. "Your injuries must be affecting you. Otherwise, your lofted passes would be as precise as mine."
Su Hang smiled pleasantly on the outside—but inside he was cursing.
If Zidane had started trash-talking, it meant he intended to take Su Hang down today.
Two minutes later, France won a corner—but Su Hang headed it clear.
As he walked past Zidane "by coincidence," he commented, "Must be injuries affecting you too. Otherwise, that header should've been yours."
"You're not scared, are you?"
Zidane let out a calm snort. "Mind games? You think that's enough to distract me from a header?"