God Of football

Chapter 92: Boy Alone

The second half of the thrilling encounter between Valencia and Atlético Madrid began with the home team, still trailing 2-1 after a tightly contested first half.

The Wanda Metropolitano Stadium was alive with energy, as fans cheered their team on, hoping for a comeback against a resilient Valencia CF side.

Atlético Madrid started the second half on the front foot, determined to consolidate their lead. Diego Simeone’s men showcased their signature pressing style, forcing Valencia to play long balls from the back.

Antoine Griezmann, who had been instrumental in the first half, continued to pull the strings in midfield, combining brilliantly with Marcos Llorente.

The French man continued to create dangerous opportunities. A breakthrough came for Atlético in the 54th minute as a result of a turnover in possession.

Javi Guerra, who had been excellent for Valencia in this match, lost the ball to Marcos Llorente, who had pressed high up the pitch.

After getting hold of the ball, Marcos Llorente sent a sharp pass to Thomas Lemar on the opposite side of the pitch, changing the play.

Pablo Barrios, who was naturally an attacking midfielder joined the attack with Axel Witsel covering his defensive post in the match.

Lemar waited for Barrios to get into a good position before setting the latter up for a shot. The ball was saved by a great hand from Marmadashvili who was having a great match aside from the goal from Griezmann.

Atlético Madrid pushed for an equalizer and finally got a chance to pull one back, but the ball from Griezmann to Morata, who had run behind the Valencia defensive line, was squandered as the latter hit the ball straight at the post.

Valencia, however, refused to buckle under pressure. They gradually found their rhythm, with Javi Guerra and Pepelu in midfield taking control and linking well with the wide players.

Their efforts bore fruit a few minutes later when Izan swapped positions with Sergio Canos, who was having a tough time against Azpilicueta, and broke down the left wing, delivering a pinpoint cross to Hugo Duro.

The forward’s header beat Atlético’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak, but at the last moment, Mario Hermoso headed the ball over the crossbar.

The away fans could feel their hearts jump as Hermoso cleared the ball. The Valencia fans clapped for their players for this stunning display of effort.

Izan headed towards the left corner after the ball went out. With a swift motion, he sent the ball to Cenk Ozkacar who met the ball timely but sent it wide.

The fans sighed but still showed support for their players. They were still leading and that was a reflection of the team’s determination.

In the 65th minute, the game shifted gears. Both teams made tactical adjustments, with Valencia pushing for a third goal while Atlético sought to draw level.

Simeone brought on Rodrigo de Paul and Angel Correira for Marcos Llorente and Thomas Lemar to add more creativity and firepower upfront.

Meanwhile, Valencia manager Rubén Baraja introduced Diego López for Sergio Canos to inject pace into their attack.

At the moment of the substitution, an incident occurred on the pitch. Alvaro Morata, who had the ball on the edge of the box, tried to lose the defender in front of him.

Mosquera who was challenging for the ball, caught Morata fair and square on the shin. The reactions from Morata were a bit exaggerated, but there was contact, so the referee blew his whistle and let Mosquera off with a warning.

Morata saw the referee point to a spot outside the box but the former didn’t like the referee’s decision. Morata took it up with the referee.

The referee didn’t pay Morata any mind, but the match was halted when Griezmann was about to take the free kick.

Izan, who saw the referee approach the VAR stand, shook his head. If the offence happened outside the box, the referees in the video room wouldn’t have called the main official to go and check.

Izan’s premonition came through as the referee pointed to the spot after the review. The Atlético fans, who had been silent, awaiting the referee’s decision, slowly burst into cheers.

The Valencia players tried to convince the referee but the referee shunned them.

The Valencia fans who had been celebrating a while ago saw the colour on their faces drain. Morata, who had earned this penalty stepped up to the spot.

Mamardashvili tried some intimidation tactics before the penalty was taken but it didn’t seem to have any effect as Alvaro Morata just stared at his soul.

After the whistle sounded, Morata rushed towards the spot, all while keeping eye contact with Marmadashvili before sending the ball to the right bottom corner.

Marmadashvili guessed the direction but couldn’t keep up with the speed.

””Morata steps up... the weight of Atlético’s hopes resting on his shoulders. He takes a deep breath, the referee’s whistle blows, and Morata strikes it! GOAL! Morata buries it with nerves of steel!

The goalkeeper guessed the right way, but the precision and power were unstoppable. Atlético Madrid are level, and listen to that roar!

The fans are on their feet, and the momentum has swung back to the Rojiblancos. It’s game on now at the Wanda Metropolitano —what a response from Diego Simeone’s side!

Atlético Madrid have clawed their way back! A moment of nerves as the ball is whipped into the bottom corner. It’s all square!

The intensity has skyrocketed, and the atmosphere here is electric. This game is wide open once again ”

”Izan is being bodied out there,” a fan said.

”He’s actually played well but with Azpilicueta shadowing him, it’ll be hard for him to make another impact”.

...

Coach Baraja, who saw Atlético’s rendition of defence, couldn’t help but complain to the official nearby.

Diego Simeone just laughed at the opponent’s plight. Coach Baraja gritted his teeth as he prepared to take Izan off.

Izan, who sensed his team was over, tried to make something of the game. After the referee restarted the match, the ball went back to Mark who had come on for Mosquera.

Izan retreated and received the ball near his team’s box, his touch soft yet commanding, instantly drawing the attention of Atlético Madrid’s defenders.

The roar of the away crowd swelled as they sensed something special brewing.

Izan, the young Valencia prodigy, stood poised, his head up, scanning the field with the composure of a veteran and the daring of a maverick.

The first challenge came from Rodrigo de Paul, charging in with intent. Izan feinted to his left, a subtle drop of the shoulder, before gliding to his right, leaving De Paul lunging at thin air.

The crowd erupted, their chants turning into a cacophony of excitement as Izan accelerated into open space, his feet moving in a mesmerizing rhythm.

Griezmann was the next obstacle, stepping in to intercept. Izan, unflustered, rolled the ball forward with the sole of his boot, drawing Griezmann closer.

Then, with a quick flick and a burst of pace, he slipped past him, brushing off the Frenchman’s desperate tug on his sleeve.

His control was sublime, the ball glued to his feet as if it were an extension of his body.

Now in the heart of Atlético’s midfield, Izan faced the imposing figures of Marcos Llorente and Stefan Savić.

Llorente lunged in, but Izan anticipated it, pulling off a silky roulette that left the midfielder stumbling.

The movement was so fluid, so precise, that it seemed to happen in slow motion.

He then nutmegged the oncoming Savić, threading the ball through the defender’s legs with audacious ease, before darting around to collect it on the other side.

Coach Baraja, who was about to take the latter off, watched his display. Izan, who moved graciously, looked like he had been possessed by the spirit of Ronaldinho, Pele and Maradona all together.

The Wanda Metropolitano was in a frenzy, every touch from Izan met with gasps and cheers.

The same couldn’t be said for the opposing fans who felt their heart rate increasing by the second.

Izan was now in the final third and was met by Atlético’s defensive line retreating in disarray. José María Giménez stepped up, the last line of defence.

Izan slowed down, teasing the centre-back, shifting the ball from left to right in a dazzling display of close control.

Giménez hesitated, unsure of which way to commit, and that moment of indecision was all Izan needed.

With some otherworldly speed, Izan flashed his legs over the ball, completing a few sets of stepovers within a second before bursting with sudden speed, skipping past the defender and leaving him stranded.

The whole stadium was now on their feet as they watched Izan sift through Atlético’s defence like a master at work.

Jan Oblak, who saw Izan beat Giminez, didn’t know what to do. After a little contemplating, he came out to meet Izan, making himself seem as big as possible.

Izan smiled at Jan Oblak before lifting the ball over the keeper. The ball went over the latter before falling into the back of the net for Izan’s second and Valencia’s third goal of the game.

Izan stood still for a moment, arms raised, basking in the thunderous applause of the Mestalla faithful.

It wasn’t just a run; it was a masterpiece, a moment that would live on in the memories of those who witnessed it—a fearless display of talent, creativity, and sheer magic.

A/n: Hi guys. I wanted to release this yesterday but I knew if I released it, I wouldn’t be able to write today. Sorry for me being lazy. I’ll try to add another one guys. Well have fun reading and thanks for the tickets and stones as well as the gifts. It keeps me writing