Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 222: Goalkeeping Brilliance

Chapter 222: Goalkeeping Brilliance

The ball spilled into the 18 yard box, bouncing dangerously. Muriel rushed forward for the rebound—but Reijnen slid in with a crucial block, sending the ball out for a corner!

[AZ Alkmaar are fighting for every inch, David. That was an all-or-nothing challenge!]

The corner was taken short, Pereyra rolling it back to Fernandes, who swung in a deep cross.

Danilo rose highest, meeting it with a firm header—but it sailed over the bar!

The defender slapped his hands in frustration as Alvarado retrieved the ball quickly, urging his teammates forward.

[Udinese had their chance there, Marco. They need to be more clinical if they want to kill this game off]

[Exactly, David. AZ Alkmaar are still in this. And if Udinese don’t find that second goal, they could live to regret it]

Alvarado launched a long ball upfield. It fell to Henriksen, who controlled it beautifully before feeding it wide to Benjamin.

The young winger looked up, saw space, and drove forward. His quick feet left Allan in his wake as he surged down the left flank.

[Here comes Benjamin! Look at him go!]

He skipped past one defender, then another, before cutting inside onto his stronger foot. The Udinese defense scrambled, trying to close him down.

Benjamin spotted Altidore making a near-post run and whipped in a low cross—

—but Brkić was there again, diving low to smother the ball before the American striker could get a touch!

[Brkić denies them again!]

[David, I don’t know what AZ Alkmaar have to do to beat this man. He’s been an absolute wall tonight!]

Brkić quickly rolled the ball out to Domizzi, who sent it long, looking for Muriel. But once again, Viergever was there, winning the aerial duel and heading it back into midfield.

The game was turning into a battle of will. AZ Alkmaar pressed relentlessly while Udinese absorbed the pressure, waiting for their moment to strike.

[Marco, this is turning into a war of endurance. Who will break first?]

[At this pace, David, it could come down to one mistake, one moment of brilliance. Hold onto your seat—this second half is going to be something special]

The tension in the air was palpable. AZ Alkmaar were pushing. Udinese were holding firm. The next goal would decide everything.

Henriksen picked up the loose ball in midfield, turning sharply before slipping a quick pass to Martens.

The Belgian playmaker took a touch, scanning the pitch. Udinese had dropped deeper, their lines tightening, but there was a gap—just enough.

Martens played a clever ball into the channel. Benjamin darted forward, his pace electric as he burst past Domizzi. The crowd roared, sensing danger.

[Benjamin again! He’s causing all sorts of problems down that left side!]

[Marco, Udinese can’t keep letting him run at them like this! He’s too quick, too direct!]

Benjamin reached the edge of the 18 yard box, cutting inside. He shaped to shoot but faked, dragging the ball past an onrushing Danilo. Now, the goal was in sight.

He struck it low, driven and powerful—aiming for the bottom corner.

Brkić reacted instantly, diving to his left. His fingertips grazed the ball, pushing it just wide.

[Brkić saves again! Unbelievable reflexes!]

[David, what does Benjamin have to do to score?! That was destined for the bottom corner!]

AZ Alkmaar won a corner, and the pressure was mounting. Henriksen jogged over to take it, the stadium buzzing. He raised a hand before whipping in a sharp delivery.

Reijnen rose highest, meeting it with a solid header—but Brkić was there again, catching it cleanly.

[Brkić claims it! He’s been Udinese’s best player tonight!]

[No question about it, Marco. Without him, this game is already level!]

Brkić wasted no time, launching a long throw out to Pereyra, who controlled it and quickly fed it forward to Muriel. Udinese had a chance to counter.

Muriel sprinted, his speed stretching the AZ Alkmaar defense. He had Di Natale running alongside him.

Reijnen backed off, trying to delay him, but Muriel feinted left before shifting right, creating space to shoot.

He pulled the trigger.

The ball flew low and hard toward the bottom corner.

Alvarado dived and got a hand to it!

The rebound spilled dangerously inside the 18 yard box.

Di Natale reacted first. He lunged, stretching for a tap-in—but Viergever slid in at the last second, blocking it with his body!

[What a block! Viergever might have just saved AZ Alkmaar!]

[David, this is unbelievable! Both goalkeepers, both defenses, throwing everything on the line!]

The loose ball rolled out to Allan, who struck it first-time from the edge of the 18 yard box—but it sailed over the bar!

The tension was unbearable. The game was still 1-0 in the 54th minute, but it felt like a goal could come at any moment.

[Marco, we’re watching a war. AZ Alkmaar are refusing to go down, but Udinese are looking for that knockout punch. Who lands the next big hit?]

[Whoever it is, David—it could change everything!]

The game raged on, both sides throwing everything they had into the contest. AZ Alkmaar refused to let up, their pressing relentless as they searched for an equalizer.

Meanwhile, Udinese, though clinging to their lead, couldn’t afford to let the pressure get to them.

Alvarado cleared a long goal kick towards Henriksen, who flicked it on to Martens. The Belgian was immediately closed down by Allan, but the playmaker managed to squeeze a pass out wide to Benjamin.

[And here comes Benjamin again, Marco! He’s been everywhere tonight!]

Benjamin darted down the left, once more leaving Allan in his wake. His eyes were locked on the goal. His dribbles were sharp, his control tight.

[This boy’s got electric pace, David. Look at him go!]

With a quick glance inside the 18 yard box, Benjamin saw Altidore waiting. The American forward had pulled off his marker and was ready to pounce.

Benjamin twisted his body, aiming for a cross, but instead, he whipped a short pass back to Martens, who was unmarked just outside the 18 yard box.

*****

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A/N: You guys can now join my discord channel to get real-time access to Benjamin’s career progression, Character arts, League Table, Player stats. And as a reward, you guys will be able to vote for potential club moves for Benjamin.

Discord: .gg/x7FCyZGz6T

Also, I hope you guys are enjoying this story so far? If you are, please don’t forget to leave a comment and consider writing a review as it’ll help my book. I’d be delighted to hear your feedback.