God Of football

Chapter 223: Final Act [Brave Passion]

The Mestalla was alive with anticipation as Izan stood over the ball, his expression calm but focused.

He adjusted his stance, eyes scanning the cluster of players in the box before striking the ball with precision.

The cross was a thing of beauty, curling away from Ter Stegen and into the heart of the penalty area.

Mark leaped high above the Barcelona defense, timing his header perfectly. The crowd held its breath as the ball connected with his forehead, powering toward the top corner.

"And it’s Mark" the commentator roared as the ball zoomed towards Ter Stegen.

...

Mark’s header was a moment of pure perfection, the ball flying through the air like an unstoppable force of destiny.

Ter Stegen, despite his incredible reflexes, could only watch as it soared past him, smashing into the back of the net.

The Mestalla erupted into pandemonium, a sea of orange and white exploding with raw emotion.

Mark, overcome with adrenaline, roared as he sprinted toward the corner flag, fists clenched, his veins pulsing with pride.

But almost instinctively, his eyes locked onto Izan, the young maestro who had delivered the perfect assist. Abandoning the corner, Mark pivoted and dashed toward the teenager, his arms outstretched.

Izan, standing just outside the penalty area, was momentarily frozen by the chaos around him. The roar of the crowd, the flash of flares in the stands, and the thunderous stomping of feet all seemed to melt away.

All he could see was Mark barreling toward him, a wide grin breaking across his face.

Mark grabbed Izan by the shoulders, lifting him slightly off the ground. "You’re unreal, Bro!" he shouted over the deafening crowd, his voice filled with equal parts gratitude and disbelief.

Their teammates swarmed them, forming a jubilant huddle that pulsed with energy.

Juan Hernan: "What a moment! Mark has equalized for Valencia, and it’s the 16-year-old Izan who has made the immediate impact!

That cross—oh, that cross—was a masterpiece, and Mark met it like a freight train!"

Jorge Savina: "Juan, this is why football is the greatest drama in the world.

A teenager, barely old enough to drive, steps onto the pitch and changes the entire complexion of the game in just minutes.

Izan’s courage and precision have reignited Valencia, and the Mestalla is shaking to its core!"

Juan Hernan: "The poetic symmetry of this game—Valencia’s center-back Mark, haunted by an earlier mistake, redeems himself with a goal, set up by the youngest player on the pitch. The beauty of football is alive here tonight!"

In the stands, Hori screamed so loudly her voice cracked, leaping into the air and grabbing Komi, who had tears welling in her eyes. "He did it, Mom! He set it up!" Hori shouted, her face glowing with pride.

Komi’s voice trembled as she celebrated with the fans around.

As the celebrations finally calmed and the players reset for the kickoff, Izan jogged back into position, his face a mask of quiet determination.

The Mestalla, still buzzing from the equalizer, began chanting in unison: "Izan! Izan! Izan!" The boy who had stepped into the fire was now Valencia’s beacon of hope.

...

The match became a pulsating back-and-forth battle as both teams traded blows, their attacking intent igniting the Mestalla in a whirlwind of noise and drama.

From the 65th minute onward, Barcelona and Valencia showcased their offensive firepower, creating moments that left fans teetering on the edge of their seats.

In the 72nd minute, Barcelona nearly struck back. Lamine Yamal picked up the ball on the right wing, weaving past Gayà with lightning speed.

His cutback found Pedri at the edge of the box, who chipped a delicate pass over the Valencia defense for Lewandowski.

The Polish striker’s volley was crisp and on target, but Mamardashvili was once again Valencia’s savior, diving low to parry the ball out of danger.

Juan Hernan: "Lewandowski is inches away, but Mamardashvili has been sensational tonight! The Mestalla owes him a standing ovation for this performance."

Jorge Savina: "Barcelona isn’t letting up. Their precision in attack is world-class, but Valencia, somehow, continues to hold firm."

Valencia responded just minutes later in the 71st. Izan, now fully in control of the midfield, picked up the ball deep in his half, skipped past Gavi with a clever flick, and sprinted into space.

His vision was evident as he delivered a diagonal pass to Thierry Correia, who darted into Barcelona’s final third.

Correia’s cross into the box found Hugo Duro, but the striker’s header flew just over the bar, prompting groans of frustration from the home fans.

Izan clapped his hands, rallying his teammates as he shouted, "Let’s keep going!" His calm yet commanding presence was evident as he gestured for the midfield to press higher.

Juan Hernan: "Izan is growing into this game. He’s playing beyond his years—his composure, his vision. That pass to Correia was sublime."

Jorge Savina: "And his leadership, Juan. You can see how he’s galvanizing this Valencia side. He’s not just playing; he’s orchestrating."

In the 75th minute, Pedri and Gündo?an combined beautifully in midfield, unlocking Valencia’s defense with a slick one-two.

Pedri threaded a pass to Raphinha, who had come on moments earlier. The Brazilian winger unleashed a venomous strike, but Paulista bravely threw himself in the way, the ball deflecting out for a corner.

Xavi paced the sideline, barking instructions. On the Valencia bench, Baraja watched intently, urging his players to hold their shape.

The Mestalla held its breath in the 78th minute as Izan nearly conjured a moment of magic.

Picking up the ball near the center circle, he danced past Christensen with a feint and burst of pace.

Spotting Hugo Duro’s run, Izan slipped a perfectly timed through ball between Koundé and Balde, splitting Barcelona’s defense wide open.

Duro reached the pass and fired a low shot, but Ter Stegen dived to his right, making a fingertip save that sent the ball agonizingly wide.

The Mestalla roared in disbelief, the fans on their feet, applauding the breathtaking interplay.

Juan Hernan: "Oh, my word! Izan, with a pass of sheer brilliance, nearly sets up Valencia’s go-ahead goal!"

Jorge Savina: "You can’t teach that, Juan! That vision, that weight on the pass—it’s extraordinary. Valencia are knocking on the door!"

Both teams continued to surge forward, their attacking play relentless. Barcelona probed with their intricate passing, while Valencia relied on Izan’s creativity and grit to carve out chances.

The game teetered on a knife’s edge, both sides searching for the breakthrough as the clock ticked toward the 80th minute.

The Mestalla trembled with anticipation, every fan sensing that one moment could define the night.

....

In the packed stands of the Mestalla, a group of Valencia fans was huddled together, their voices rising above the hum of the crowd during a brief pause in play.

Among them was a man in his late 30s, dressed in a classic orange and white Valencia scarf and a jacket that had seen many seasons of football.

His name was Mateo, a diehard supporter who had lived and breathed Valencia since childhood.

"You know," Mateo began, leaning over to his friend Carlos, "I can’t lie—I’m relieved we’re holding Barcelona to a draw right now.

These guys are like machines, man." He gestured toward the pitch where Pedri and Lewandowski were orchestrating another intricate attack.

"But a win… oh, that would be something else."

Carlos nodded, his arms crossed tightly against his chest. "You think we’ve got it in us? I mean, that kid Izan—he’s special, no doubt—but Barcelona? They’re relentless."

Mateo smirked, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Oh, I’ve got faith, my friend. We’ve won against Real Madrid once and Atletico Madrid, back to back so why not add Barcelona to the mix for this season? Plus I’ve also got a little more riding on this one than usual."

"What do you mean?" asked Diego, another of their group, who had been listening intently.

Mateo leaned in closer, lowering his voice like he was about to reveal a grand secret. "I’ve got Valencia down for a win on my bookies," he said with a grin.

"Not much—just enough to make things interesting. You know, keep the heart pumping a little faster."

Carlos burst into laughter, shaking his head. "You’re a madman, Mateo. Betting on a win against Barcelona? Brave or foolish, I can’t decide."

"Hey, a man’s gotta dream, right?" Mateo replied, throwing his arms up in mock defense. "Besides, look at the fight we’re putting up.

Izan’s been phenomenal since he came on, and Mark redeemed himself with that header. We’re in this!"

Diego chimed in, pointing toward the pitch. "I’ll give you that. If anyone’s going to pull off a win tonight, it’s that kid. He’s got something about him—a spark. And if we win, drinks are on you."

Mateo laughed, clapping Diego on the back. "If Valencia wins tonight, I’ll buy the whole Mestalla a round!"

Their laughter was cut short as the game resumed, and their attention snapped back to the action on the field.

But as Mateo adjusted his scarf and leaned forward, he couldn’t help but dream about the possibility of walking away with both a Valencia win and a little extra in his pocket.

A/N: last of the week or second of the new week. However you like it. Anyways I decided to drop by and see how my readers are doing. Comment how the start of the year is for you and have a nice read