Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 208: Full-time

Chapter 208: Full-time

The crowd rose as one. Berghuis’s pass dropped perfectly into Benjamin’s path. His first touch was immaculate, and he was off instantly.

A defender scrambled to close him down, but it was hopeless. Benjamin ate up the ground, his stride smooth and powerful.

[No one’s catching him!] Mike yelled.

Inside the 18 yard box, Altidore peeled away from his marker with his hands out, calling for it.

Benjamin had options available.

He glanced up, saw Altidore’s movement—then cut inside again, dragging two defenders with him.

[He’s taking them on!] the co-commentator said, breathless.

A desperate lunge came in—Benjamin flicked it past. Another defender rushed forward—he feinted left, leaving him stumbling.

Gasps poured out from the stands. Benjamin was dancing through them again and again.

[This is outrageous footwork!] Mike shouted. [He’s making them look foolish!]

One last step—One last defender left to eat dust.

Benjamin chopped the ball left to create just enough space—

And then, with the outside of his boot, he curled a shot toward the far post.

Kieboom threw himself across with his arms outstretched to their limit—

But he was beaten.

The net rippled.

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!~

[WHAT A GOAL FROM BENJAMIN!] Mike roared. [That is pure class! That is top-class!]

Benjamin skidded on his knees with his fists clenched, roaring toward the stands. His teammates mobbed him, shaking him, shouting in his face.

[That’s a superstar’s goal,] the co-commentator said, almost laughing in disbelief. [He took them all on and buried it!]

Kieboom lay on his back, staring at the sky. He had done everything he could tonight, but there was no stopping that.

[4-2, and that’s game over,] Mike added. [Benjamin Rijkaard has arrived, ladies and gentlemen! Two goals and one assist for the seventeen years old tonight]

The AZ Alkmaar fans knew it too. They were on their feet, chanting his name.

RKC Waalwijk had fought bravely. But this?

This was a statement performance.

Fweeeee!~

RKC Waalwijk restarted the game, but their energy had been sapped. The fourth goal had crushed any hope of a comeback. Still, they pushed forward, determined to finish with pride.

[They won’t go down without a fight,] the co-commentator said. [But this mountain might be too steep to climb now]

Imad Najah received the ball near the right flank, trying to spark something. He skipped past one defender and swung a hopeful cross into the 18 yard box.

Reijnen climbed high, meeting it with a firm header away. The clearance fell to Elm, who took a touch and played it calmly to Henriksen.

[AZ Alkmaar look comfortable now,] Mike noted. [They’ve weathered the storm, and they’re controlling the tempo]

Henriksen turned and spotted Berghuis in space on the right. A simple pass sent him racing forward.

[Look at this,] the co-commentator said. [They’re not sitting back. They want more]

Berghuis cut inside and slid a ball through to Altidore. The big striker shielded it well, spinning away from his marker before rifling a shot from the edge of the 18 yard box—

But Kieboom reacted quickly, diving to his right to push it away.

[Another strong save from Kieboom,] Mike said. [He’s been outstanding despite the scoreline]

The rebound bounced toward Benjamin on the left. The crowd roared in anticipation.

[Oh, here we go again—]

Benjamin shaped to shoot but instead rolled his foot over the ball, teasing his defender before flicking it through his legs.

The crowd erupted.

[He’s toying with them now!] the co-commentator laughed.

Benjamin darted into the 18 yard box, but before he could pull the trigger, a desperate sliding challenge knocked the ball out for a corner.

[Good defending in the end,] Mike said. [They had to stop him there, or it was game over]

AZ Alkmaar took their time setting up for the corner. They knew they had this game in their hands.

Benjamin whipped it in, looking for Viergever at the far post—

But Waalwijk’s defense stood strong, heading it clear.

[We’re in the final moments now,] the co-commentator said. [AZ Alkmaar just running the clock down]

The fourth official raised the board—three minutes of added time.

RKC Waalwijk tried one last attack, but a misplaced pass allowed Gorter to intercept. He calmly played it back to Alvarado, who took his time before launching it forward.

[That should do it,] Mike said. [RKC Waalwijk gave it everything, but AZ Alkmaar’s quality shone through]

The referee checked his watch—

Fweeeeee!~

[There’s the final whistle!] the co-commentator exclaimed. [AZ Alkmaar take all three points in a thrilling 5-2 victory!]

The home crowd cheered, their team delivering a performance full of attacking flair.

But tonight belonged to one player.

[Benjamin Yinka Rijkaard—remember the name,] Mike said. [Two goals, an assist, and a performance that will be talked about for weeks]

The camera zoomed in on Benjamin, sweat dripping down his face as he embraced his teammates.

The stadium announcer’s voice echoed through the speakers, cutting through the cheers of the crowd.

"Man of the Match—Benjamin Yinka Rijkaard!"

A fresh wave of applause erupted as the young winger walked toward the award presentation, shaking hands with the officials.

He accepted the trophy with a nod, then turned to acknowledge the fans, raising it high above his head.

[Well, that was never in doubt, was it?] Mike chuckled. [Benjamin Rijkaard—two goals, an assist, and a performance that oozed confidence]

[Not just confidence,] the co-commentator added. [He played like a star. He played like he belonged at the very top level]

As Benjamin made his way back to his teammates, the broadcast switched to a replay of his goals for tonight’s game, breaking down his movements.

[Let’s talk about his first goal,] Mike said as the footage rolled. [He starts out wide, drifts inside, and just look at that one-two with Altidore—brilliant understanding. And then, the finish? Although it came from a deflection, It’s Clinical]

[That’s what separates great players,] the co-commentator added. [He doesn’t panic. He doesn’t hesitate. One touch to settle, another to place it into the corner. Perfect execution from the young lad]