God Of football

Chapter 179: Another Game Gone

The referee’s whistle pierced through the roaring crowd as the home side celebrated their hard-fought victory.

Some of the players on the field collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion while others fell in frustration.

”It’s over! Valencia has done it, securing a dramatic victory in extra time. If you told a Valencia fan just 40 minutes ago that they’d win this match, they wouldn’t believe you.

2-1 down in the 87th minute and now 3-2 up after the 120th-minute mark. I’ve said this and I’ll say it again, Valencia have something really special going on here.

Real Sociedad will now have to redirect their efforts to the Laliga and Europe league after missing out on the semi Finals of the Copa del Rey.”

Chants of ”¡Valencia! ¡Valencia!” reverberated around the arena, a unifying anthem of triumph and pride.

On the pitch, Izan was swarmed by his teammates, lifted high into the air as chants of his name echoed through the stands.

The 16-year-old, barely able to contain his smile, waved to the fans, overwhelmed by the moment.

Once the initial celebrations had settled, the Valencia players formed a line and began their lap of gratitude.

With arms raised and applause echoing across the stadium, they thanked their fans for their unwavering support, even in the minutes when there was no hope.

The crowd responded in kind, clapping and cheering louder with every step the team took.

Izan walking with the crowd, lingered a moment, staring into the sea of Valencia fans waving at him. A young boy wearing his jersey caught his eye, tears streaming down his face.

Izan pointed to the boy and threw his shirt into the crowd. The fans around knew who the kit was meant for so they didn’t try to fight for it as the boy caught it and immediately clutched it to his chest, a memory he’ll cherish forever.

The mutual appreciation between the players and the fans created a bond that felt almost tangible—a shared moment of triumph, of dreams realized, and of the unwavering passion that made football magical.

As the team gathered at the centre of the pitch for one final cheer, the Valencia fans erupted in a deafening roar, cementing this moment in the hearts of all who witnessed it.

”Vamos Valencia.”

After the chants, most of the fans began leaving while a few stayed to do their business. The players also walked towards their locker room, disappearing at the end of the tunnel.

After entering the locker room, Ruben Baraja praised the players for their unbending attitude and relentless spirit that had helped them qualify.

”We’re still not done. Let’s qualify for Europe and try to pick up some silverware this season” he said, the shouts of the players ringing through the room.

...

The brightly lit studio was abuzz with energy as the match analysts prepared to dissect Valencia’s thrilling Copa del Rey quarterfinal victory over Real Sociedad.

Screens around them replayed the match highlights: Takefusa Kubo’s opening goal, Cenk’s unfortunate own goal, Izan’s equalizer, and his sensational overtime penalty that sent Valencia into the semifinals.

Santiago Jose: ”What a game! Valencia found themselves in trouble early on with Kubo’s goal, but they clawed their way back. And what can we say about Izan? This boy is something special.”

Jhaime Reso: ”Unbelievable performance. That assist in the 73rd minute showed such composure and vision.

And then that equalizer—a curled beauty from outside the box. You could feel the stadium erupting! I felt scared for the fans at some point.”

Alex Solihull: ”He’s got this incredible ability to rise to the occasion. A goal, an assist, and then winning and converting the decisive penalty in extra time.

It’s like he’s been playing at this level for years, but he’s just a teenager! We’ve been talking about him since the start of this season and I just can’t get enough of him.”

Gui Balagué: ”And let’s not forget his versatility. He’s equally comfortable playing on the wings, through the middle, or even dropping deep to influence play.

Any team that manages to secure his signature will be very lucky indeed.”

While they were talking, studio screens displayed a heat map of Izan’s movements during the game.

Jhaime: ”Look at that. He’s everywhere. His work rate, his intelligence off the ball—this is not something you teach easily.

It’s innate. And the scary part? He’s not even done developing yet.”

Alex Solihull: ”Exactly. Physically, he’s still growing, and tactically, he’s only going to get better under the right management.

If he keeps this up, he could be one of the best players in the world and I’m not talking at the end of his career. It could be next year from the way he’s playing.”

A slow-motion replay of Izan’s equalizing goal played on the big screen.

Santiago: ”This finish. Absolutely sublime. The curve, the precision—it’s reminiscent of some of the greats.

Valencia must be counting their blessings they’ve got him for now.”

Gui Balagué: ”But the question is, for how long? Major clubs in the league and the rest in the other leagues have already begun circling like hawks with AC Milan even offering a pretty sum for him.

After a performance like this, his value will surely keep rising and at the end of the day, Valencia will surely benefit.

He’s a game-changer that boy.”

The discussion shifted to the mental resilience Izan showed throughout the match.

Alex Solihull: ”For someone so young, he’s got such a mature head on his shoulders. To step up and take that penalty in extra time with all that pressure—phenomenal.”

Jhaime: ”It’s not just talent; it’s the ability to deliver when it matters most. That’s what sets him apart. It’s rare to see a player who can carry a team on their back at this age and in such a league.”

As the show wrapped up, the pundits agreed that Izan’s future in football was bright, with Santiago summarizing the sentiment.

Santiago: ”The world of football is watching. Whoever gets Izan won’t just be signing a player—they’ll be securing a superstar and their future in the making.”

The broadcast cut back to highlights of Valencia’s celebrations, with Izan at the centre of it all, already a hero for the club and a rising star for the sport.

.....

The jubilant chants of the fans still echoed faintly in the background as Izan stepped out of the stadium, the night air crisp against his skin.

The floodlights cast long shadows across the parking lot, where players, staff, and fans were gradually dispersing.

Izan adjusted his black jacket, his small bag tucked securely under his arm as he made his way toward the far end of the lot where his booked car was waiting.

A sleek, dark sedan idled near the entrance, its headlights cutting through the faint mist settling over the pavement.

The driver, an older man with a kind smile, stepped out and opened the door for Izan.

Driver: ”Good evening, young man. Fantastic match tonight. That goal—magnificent!”

Izan smiled politely, his voice soft but sincere.

Izan: ”Thank you. It was a team effort.”

Sliding into the backseat, Izan set his bag aside. As the car pulled out of the lot, he leaned his head back against the seat, letting out a quiet sigh.

The adrenaline from the game was slowly fading, replaced by a calm satisfaction.

The car moved through the city streets at a leisurely pace, and Izan found himself drawn to the scenery outside.

Valencia’s vibrant nightlife was in full swing—cafés and restaurants were bustling with people, streetlights bathed the roads in a warm glow, and couples strolled along the sidewalks.

The Mediterranean breeze rustled the palm trees lining the avenues, their silhouettes swaying gently against the starry sky.

For a moment, everything felt still. The world outside seemed both grand and intimate, the kind of beauty one rarely notices in the chaos of daily life.

Izan gazed out of the window, his thoughts wandering between the match and the future.

The driver, sensing the boy’s quiet mood, kept the car radio low, soft jazz filling the space without interrupting the tranquillity

Occasionally, the car passed groups of fans still celebrating, some of whom recognized Izan through the window.

They waved excitedly, their cheers muffled but clear. Izan responded with a small wave, his smile growing slightly wider.

As the car neared his neighbourhood cityscape gave way to quieter, tree-lined streets.

Streetlights cast long, flickering shadows, and the occasional bark of a dog punctuated the silence.

Izan felt a sense of comfort as they approached his house—a modest, two-story home where Komi and Hori were undoubtedly waiting for him.

When the car finally came to a stop, Izan thanked the driver and stepped out, retrieving his belongings, before walking up the short path to his front door, he paused, taking one last look at the night sky.

”Another game down. So many more to go.” Izan said in a breath.

With that, he turned and headed inside, the quiet confidence of a young star in the making carrying him forward.