God Of football

Chapter 225: Final Act [3]

On the Valencia bench, Rubén Baraja was livid, pacing back and forth as he yelled at the fourth official.

"How is that deliberate? He couldn’t have avoided it!" he shouted, his arms flailing in frustration.

Meanwhile, Xavi stood calm but resolute on the Barcelona sideline, nodding in approval at the decision.

Mateo, the fan with the bookie bet, groaned and buried his face in his hands. "This is it. We’re done for.

I swear, the refs always favor the big clubs," he muttered bitterly to his friends, who nodded in agreement.

...

Lewandowski stepped up to take the penalty, the Polish striker exuding calm confidence.

He placed the ball on the spot, took a few steps back, and stared down Giorgi Mamardashvili, who stood tall between the posts, bouncing on his toes in an attempt to unsettle the striker.

The Mestalla erupted into a cacophony of noise, the fans whistling and chanting to distract Lewandowski.

Izan, standing just outside the box, clenched his fists and muttered under his breath, willing his goalkeeper to come up with something miraculous.

Juan Hernan: "This is it. Lewandowski, one of the most clinical finishers in world football, against Mamardashvili, who’s been Valencia’s hero tonight. Can the Georgian keeper pull off something special?"

Jorge Savina: "Lewandowski thrives under pressure, but these fans will do everything they can to throw him off. The tension is unbearable!"

Lewandowski stood still the Mestalla bracing for what could be a decisive moment in the match…

....:::

In a quiet, modest home on the outskirts of Valencia, two elderly fans sat on their worn sofa, their eyes fixed on the small television screen.

The flickering light of the match illuminated their anxious faces, and the tension in the Mestalla echoed in their modest living room.

The man, Manuel, a lifelong Valencia supporter with a scarf draped over his shoulders, held his hands together in prayer.

Beside him, his wife, Rosa, clutched a rosary tightly, whispering prayers under her breath.

"Please, let him miss. Let Mamardashvili save us," Manuel muttered, his voice trembling with equal parts hope and fear.

Rosa nodded fervently, her lips moving silently as she whispered to herself.

The camera on the screen zoomed in on Robert Lewandowski, who stood over the penalty spot, calm and composed, ready to strike.

The Mestalla’s noise, though distant in the room, seemed deafening in their ears.

Back at the Mestalla, Lewandowski adjusted the ball one last time, his laser-focused gaze locking onto Mamardashvili, who crouched low on his line.

The crowd was a cauldron of noise, Valencia fans whistling and screaming to rattle the Polish striker.

Juan Hernan: "Here we go, Jorge. The entire stadium is holding its breath. Lewandowski, against Mamardashvili. This could change everything."

Jorge Savina: "It’s a moment of pure tension, Juan. Lewandowski rarely misses, but Mamardashvili has pulled off miracles tonight. The stakes couldn’t be higher."

Lewandowski took a deep breath, then began his slow, deliberate run-up. Silence momentarily fell in the living room of Manuel and Rosa, the only sound Rosa whispered, "Por favor, Señor."

Lewandowski struck the ball cleanly, a powerful shot aimed low to the right. Mamardashvili dived, but the ball streaked past his outstretched gloves. It was perfect—until it wasn’t.

A metallic clang reverberated through the stadium as the ball smashed against the inside of the right post and ricocheted back into the box.

The Mestalla erupted in a deafening roar of disbelief and hope, the sound washing over the players like a tidal wave.

Juan Hernan: "He’s hit the post! Lewandowski has hit the post!"

Jorge Savina: "Oh, my word, Juan! It’s chaos! The ball’s still in play!"

The ball rebounded out to Raphinha, who reacted instinctively, charging forward to strike the loose ball.

The Valencian defenders scrambled desperately, but it was Raphinha who reached it first with the Brazilian winger unleashing a fierce shot toward the goal, aiming high.

The fans were sure that this was it but Mamardashvili, still on the ground from his dive, somehow sprang back to life.

With extraordinary reflexes, he punched the ball upward with both fists, sending it soaring away from the goal and toward the edge of the box.

The Mestalla exploded in cheers, the fans roaring as if Valencia had just scored.

Juan Hernan: "Mamardashvili! Incredible! What a save from the Georgian keeper! He’s kept Valencia alive!"

Jorge Savina: "That’s pure instinct, Juan! From hitting the post to Raphinha’s rebound, this could’ve been over, but Mamardashvili has pulled off a miracle!"

Manuel and Rosa, watching from their home, jumped to their feet, Manuel’s fist pumping the air as he shouted, "¡Vamos, Giorgi! That’s how you save us!" Rosa clutched her rosary even tighter, her face breaking into a relieved smile.

"I told you," Manuel said, his voice trembling with emotion, "he’s our angel tonight."

On the pitch, Mamardashvili, still lying on the ground, pounded the turf with his fists, shouting to rally his teammates.

As the chaos subsided and the Mestalla roared in approval, the ball, still alive, spun toward the sideline.

Barcelona’s players hesitated for a split second, assuming it would roll out for a throw-in.

But they underestimated José Gayà who seemed to have had new life breathed into him.

The Valencia captain sprinted full throttle, his every stride determined, fueled by the roaring support of the crowd.

Sliding just in time, Gayà hooked the ball back into play, preventing it from crossing the line. His desperate effort was met with another thunderous cheer from the stands.

Juan Hernan: "Gayà isn’t giving up on anything tonight! Look at him chase that down—what heart from the Valencia captain!"

Jorge Savina: "That’s the spirit of this team, Juan. They’re fighting for every blade of grass.

Gayà knows what’s at stake, and he’s giving everything to keep Barcelona on the back foot."

Gayà quickly got to his feet, scanning the pitch as Barcelona players began surging forward to press.

With one glance, he spotted Izan drifting into space down the left flank. The young midfielder raised his hand, signaling for the ball, his eyes burning with intent.

Gayà didn’t hesitate. He whipped a precise, curling pass toward Izan, bypassing a cluster of Barcelona players in midfield.

The ball glided through the air with precision, landing perfectly at Izan’s feet.

Izan’s first touch was immaculate, killing the ball instantly as if it were a part of him. The Mestalla erupted again, their excitement renewed by the sight of their prodigy with the ball at his feet.

The Barcelona players immediately reacted, sprinting back to close him down, but Izan was already scanning the pitch.

Juan Hernan: "Oh, here we go, Jorge. The ball’s with Izan. You can feel the electricity in the air every time he gets involved."

Jorge Savina: "Barcelona’s going to have to stay sharp now. Izan’s vision and quick thinking could flip this game on its head in an instant."

With Pedri closing in on him from behind and Araujo stepping forward to intercept, Izan flicked the ball to his right with a deft touch, evading Pedri’s challenge.

He then feinted left before cutting sharply to the right, leaving Araujo flat-footed.

Ding,[Speedter trait activated] the system sounded. With a sharp breath, Izan glanced ahead before bursting forward.

The crowd roared louder as Izan surged forward, the ball glued to his feet. Lamine Yamal sprinted back to join the defensive effort, while Frenkie de Jong tracked his run, attempting to box him in.

But Izan was in full control, his every movement purposeful.

He spotted Amallah making a darting run ahead of him on the right and sent a clever through ball into his path.

Amallah’a speed forced Barcelona’s backline to shift, and as they did, Izan continued his run into the center, ready to receive the return pass.

In the stands, the tension was palpable. Fans jumped to their feet, shouting encouragement.

Mateo, still shaken from the penalty drama, leaned forward in his seat, his heart pounding. "This kid… he’s magic. Just watch him!"

Juan Hernan: "Look at that. What pace from Izan, blazing through the field like a wild horse."

Amallah after seeing Izan in space, sent the ball back to him with a clever one-touch pass, and the young midfielder found himself in space just outside the box

Barcelona’s defense rushed to close him down, but Izan, with a quick flick of his right boot, sent the ball wide to Gayà, who had continued his run down the left.

The Barcelona players, now fully committed to defending, were forced to retreat rapidly. The Mestalla was alive, the noise deafening as Valencia turned the tide, forcing Barcelona to chase the ball.

The tension was mounting, and everyone knew something special could happen at any moment.

As Gayà surged down the left flank, his head lifted to scan the box. Valencia’s players were making their runs, but none stood out as much as Izan, hovering just outside the penalty area.

Gayà hesitated for a fraction of a second, weighing his options, before cutting the ball back toward Izan with a crisp, low pass.

Izan met the ball with an almost casual touch, rolling it forward with the inside of his foot to control the pace.

Frenkie de Jong was already charging toward him, intent on closing down the space before Izan could make his next move.

The Mestalla held its breath as Izan looked up, sensing the pressure but refusing to panic.

With a quick, deliberate motion, Izan flicked the ball upward with the outside of his boot, sending it arcing over De Jong’s head.

The Dutchman skidded to a halt, caught entirely off guard as the ball soared over him. The crowd erupted in awe, a collective gasp filling the stadium as Izan turned sharply on his heel, his body flowing effortlessly with the motion of the ball.

Juan Hernan: "Oh my word! Izan, magnificent touch"

[I know I write it but the glazing is too much]

As the ball began its descent, Izan was already in motion, spinning with precision to track its trajectory.

The Barcelona defenders were frozen for a split second, their focus entirely on him as the ball dropped back toward the earth.

The stadium seemed to stand still, every fan on their feet, every voice silenced in anticipation.

The ball hung in the air for what felt like an eternity, and Izan timed his leap perfectly. Twisting his body, he prepared to connect with it mid-air.

The tension in the Mestalla reached its breaking point as Izan’s boot swung forward to meet the ball.

Juan Hernan: "Here it comes! Izan—!"