On October 7, 2001 (August 21, 2001 in the lunar calendar), China men's football entered the World Cup. For China fans and football workers, October 7, 2001 is a day worth remembering. The China men's football team finally achieved historic progress in reaching the World Cup finals. That night, there was jubilation inside and outside the stadium. People's feelings for the World Cup, which had been accumulated for more than 40 years, burst out at this moment. Fans, players and Football Association officials could not help but feel the joy in their hearts. Yan Shiduo, full-time vice chairman of the China Football Association, excitedly declared: China football has entered a new history. In 2000, world-famous coach Milutinovic was officially hired as the head coach of China's national team and began to promote the concept of "enjoying football" in China. This once-controversial coach proved his value with his achievements. From April 22 to May 27, 2001, the World Cup Asian qualifying group stage was fully launched, and the China team won all six games. From August 25 to October 7, the top ten matches of the World Cup were filled with smoke. The China team won two rounds ahead of schedule for the World Cup finals with an unbeaten record. Such a record has allowed China fans to finally understand the joy of football. In the 44-year history of the World Cup, the joint efforts of several generations of football players have pushed China football into a new era. Nian Weisi, an older generation of China football players, not only experienced the joy of success, but also tasted the hardships. It is certainly a pleasure to rush into the World Cup finals, but has China football suddenly made a qualitative leap? Famous football commentator Zhang Lu reminds everyone to look at the level of China football calmly. Entering the World Cup finals is only the starting point for China football to go global. The road to the World Cup is still long, and the tests and challenges we face are even more arduous. Regardless of the performance of China football team in this World Cup, the most important thing is to be able to learn something through the competition and truly improve themselves.