Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 218: Tense Nerves 2

Chapter 218: Tense Nerves 2

The ball sailed through the night sky, dropping toward Muriel, who outmuscled his marker and brought it down with his chest. With a quick turn, he poked a pass to Pereyra, who surged forward into space.

[Udinese are on the move again!]

Pereyra spotted Lazzari overlapping on the left and threaded the ball through. Lazzari reached it just before the byline and whipped in a teasing cross.

[Di Natale’s waiting—]

Di Natale lunged, his foot making contact mid-air—but Alvarado reacted instantly, diving low to push the ball away!

[Alvarado again! How many times will he save AZ Alkmaar tonight?!]

Marco whistled. [That’s top-class goalkeeping. Di Natale struck that cleanly, but Alvarado read it perfectly]

The AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper wasted no time, jumping to his feet and rolling the ball out to Berghuis on the right wing.

The winger turned sharply and sprinted forward, the Udinese defense scrambling to get back.

[Now can they hit them on the counter?!]

Berghuis drove past one defender, then another, before sending a diagonal pass toward Benjamin on the left.

[Benjamin has space! Can he take advantage?]

Benjamin took a perfect first touch, cutting inside as a defender rushed toward him. Instead of shooting, he played a clever reverse pass into the 18 yard box—

—where Altidore was already making his move!

[Altidore’s in again!]

The American striker took one touch, then fired a low shot toward the bottom corner—but Brkić was there again, getting down quickly to make the save!

[Unbelievable! Brkić denies Altidore once more!]

David groaned. [How has that not gone in?! AZ Alkmaar are doing everything right, but they just can’t find the net!]

Marco shook his head. [Brkić and Alvarado are putting on a masterclass in goalkeeping. This is something special]

The Udinese keeper stayed on the ground for a moment, catching his breath, before finally getting up and urging his team forward. He sent a long goal kick down the middle, where Muriel flicked it on.

Pereyra controlled it near the edge of the 18 yard box, twisted away from his marker, and let fly—but his shot flew harmlessly over the bar!

[He rushed that one! A wasted opportunity for Udinese]

David exhaled. [This game is wide open. Chances at both ends, but no breakthrough yet]

AZ Alkmaar restarted quickly. Viergever played it short to Elm, who turned and found Henriksen in midfield. Henriksen took a touch, scanned the field, and spotted a run from Benjamin on the left.

[Here they go again!]

Henriksen’s pass was inch-perfect. Benjamin took it in stride, driving forward with speed. A defender closed in, but he feinted right, then darted left, leaving him behind.

[Brilliant from Benjamin! He’s into the final third!]

He glanced up and saw Altidore peeling away from his marker inside the 18 yard box. Without hesitation, Benjamin curled in a teasing cross—it sailed past one defender, past another—and dropped perfectly onto Altidore’s foot!

[Altidore—can he finish this time?!]

He swung his boot, striking it with everything he had—but Brkić pulled off another reflex save, pushing it wide for a corner!

[No way! Brkić is having the game of his life!]

Marco sighed. [You have to feel for Altidore. He’s done everything right, but the ball just won’t go in!]

David nodded. [AZ Alkmaar need to stay patient. The goal will come if they keep creating chances like this]

Benjamin stepped up for the corner, wiping sweat from his forehead. The game had turned into a battle of wills, and both teams knew the next goal before halftime could be decisive.

He took a deep breath, then raised his hand to signal.

[Another big moment here... Can AZ Alkmaar finally break through?]

The tension inside the stadium was electric as Benjamin swung the corner in—so and the fight for the ball began again.

The ball curled into the 18 yard box, dipping toward the crowded six-yard area. Defenders and attackers jostled for position with their eyes locked on the delivery.

[It’s a dangerous ball—]

Viergever leapt highest, twisting his body mid-air to meet it with his head. The ball rocketed toward goal—but Brkić reacted instantly, stretching out a hand to tip it over the bar!

[Brkić again! He’s absolutely unbeatable tonight!]

David groaned. [What does AZ Alkmaar have to do to get past him?! That was a bullet header!]

Marco exhaled. [They have to keep believing. The pressure is on Udinese now, and they know it]

Benjamin jogged back to the corner flag, determination etched on his face. He adjusted the ball, took a quick glance at his teammates, then lifted his hand again before whipping in another cross.

This time, the ball swerved toward the near post. A mass of bodies lunged for it—

—the ball skidded off an Udinese defender’s head and bounced out toward the edge of the 18 yard box.

Henriksen pounced, striking it first-time with his right foot!

[Henriksen goes for it—]

—but his shot took a slight deflection, sending it spinning agonizingly wide of the post.

[So close! AZ Alkmaar are knocking on the door!]

David shook his head. [You have to give them credit. They’re controlling this game despite the red card in the 30th minute, created chances, but Udinese just won’t break]

Marco nodded. [It’s a mental game now. Who blinks first?]

Udinese breathed a sigh of relief as they set up for the goal kick. Brkić took his time, waving his teammates forward before launching it long.

The ball sailed into AZ Alkmaar’s half. Muriel challenged for it against Reijnen, both players leaping.

The ball ricocheted off their shoulders and dropped to Pereyra, who reacted quickest, flicking it wide to Lazzari on the left.

[Udinese might have something here!]

Lazzari sprinted down the wing, his quick feet keeping the ball under control as Johansson chased him. The full-back lunged in—but Lazzari skipped past him, cutting inside onto his stronger foot.

[Danger here for AZ Alkmaar!]

He spotted Di Natale peeling off his marker at the far post and swung in a curling cross. It dropped perfectly into the striker’s path.

[Di Natale!