Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 240: A Breather Before Halftime

Chapter 240: A Breather Before Halftime

Alvarado exploded off his line. He made himself big with his arms wide, eyes locked on the ball.

Castaignos struck it low, aiming for the bottom corner, but Alvarado got a foot to it!

[What a save!] Ronald roared. [That is massive from Alvarado!]

The ball deflected off his boot and spun out to the right, where Marcellis reacted first, hacking it clear acrobatically before Tadić could pounce.

[AZ Alkmaar are living dangerously,] Erik said, exhaling. [They threw everything forward and almost got punished for it!]

Alvarado, still on the ground, clenched his fists and let out a frustrated yell, knowing how close that had been. His teammates rushed to him, patting his back in appreciation.

[And look at the reaction from the fans,] Ronald added. [They know how big that moment was!]

The stadium, still buzzing from the sequence, erupted into applause.

But there was no time to dwell.

AZ Alkmaar restarted quickly. Henriksen, growing into the game, dropped deep to collect the ball, urging his teammates forward.

[They’re pushing now,] Erik observed. [They feel like the goal is coming]

Henriksen turned sharply away from his marker, carrying it forward before slipping a pass out to Benjamin, who had stayed wide on the left.

Benjamin controlled it effortlessly, his eyes scanning the 18 yard box. Altidore made his move, peeling away from Douglas toward the near post.

Benjamin delivered a cross—whipped in fast, and curling toward the danger zone.

Altidore lunged, but Boschker punched it clear!

[This goalkeeper! He’s been Twente’s best player by far!] Ronald shouted.

The ball fell to Berghuis at the top of the 18 yard box.

He took one touch, then a rocket of a shot!

The entire stadium gasped...

But Boschker flew across his goal, fingertips pushing it just wide!

[He’s done it again! Unbelievable reactions!] Erik yelled.

The frustration on AZ Alkmaar’s players was evident. They had done everything right. The passes were sharp, the movement was clever, the shots were on target—

But Boschker refused to be beaten.

[They have to stay composed,] Ronald said. [It’s coming. You can feel it]

Benjamin placed the ball down for another corner. He took a deep breath, then raised his arm, signaling the run.

He curled it in—deep this time, toward the far post.

Viergever climbed above everyone and powered a header down into the crowded 18 yard box!

Bodies flew in, legs swung, and the ball ricocheted multiple times before dropping for Altidore!

He turned and fired instinctively...

GOOOAAALLLLL!!!

[It’s in!!!] Erik screamed. [Jozy Altidore finally finds the breakthrough for AZ Alkmaar with a first-half hatrick in the 43rd minute! It’s AZ Alkmaar 3-1 FC Twente]

The stadium erupted. Fans leaped to their feet, fists pumping, voices echoing through the night.

Altidore sprinted toward the corner flag, sliding on his knees as teammates swarmed him.

[And listen to that roar! They’ve been waiting for this moment!] Ronald shouted.

Benjamin arrived, throwing an arm around Altidore’s shoulders, grinning through the adrenaline. The entire team gathered, celebrating the goal that had felt inevitable.

[A massive, massive moment,] Erik said. [AZ Alkmaar have been relentless, and finally, they get their reward.]

Twente players stood with hands on their hips, exhausted, disappointed. Boschker, the hero for so long, picked himself up and shook his head.

[And now,] Ronald said, [it’s all about the response. Twente are two goals behind again. Do they have anything left before halftime?]

Twente looked shaken. The energy that had fueled their attack earlier seemed to drain as they gathered near the center circle.

Brama clapped his hands, urging his teammates on. They were not giving up this early in the first half. Castaignos wiped sweat from his forehead, shaking his head in frustration.

[This is a huge moment in the match,] Erik noted. [Twente need to find something before the halftime whistle, or this could slip away from them]

Wisgerhof placed the ball down in the middle of the halfway line for the restart. A quick exchange between him and Douglas sent the ball rolling back toward Brama, who immediately turned and sprayed a pass out wide to Rosales.

[They’re not panicking yet,] Ronald said. [They know they’ll have time in the Second-half, but they have to be careful. AZ Alkmaar are buzzing right now]

Rosales took a touch and lifted his head. Tadić was already making a run down the flank. The full-back wasted no time, driving a long ball over the top.

Tadić stretched, bringing it down with an elegant first touch. The home crowd groaned as he skipped past Gorter and surged toward the 18 yard box.

[Oh, that’s brilliant control!] Erik exclaimed. [Twente aren’t backing down!]

Tadić reached the edge of the area, scanning his options. Castaignos was lurking near the penalty spot with his hands out, demanding the ball.

Tadić faked a cross, dragging the ball inside instead—then curled a shot toward the far corner!

Alvarado dived and got his fingertips to it!

[Another big save!] Ronald shouted. [Alvarado is refusing to let Twente back in!]

The ball spilled loose inside the 18 yard box. Castaignos reacted first, lunging forward—

But Reijnen got there just in time! He slid in, clearing the danger before Castaignos could poke it home.

[That was close! Twente are knocking again!] Erik said, his voice rising.

The clearance only went as far as Fer, who took a touch before unleashing a thunderous shot from 25 yards!

The ball swerved viciously, knuckling through the air and smashed against the crossbar!

CLANG!!!~

[Oh my word!!!] Ronald shouted. [That was inches away from a response!]

The rebound fell dangerously into the 18 yard box. Players scrambled, bodies crashing into each other—but Viergever was first to react, hammering it clear to midfield.

[A huge let-off for AZ Alkmaar!] Erik breathed. [That could have changed everything right before the break!]

Twente weren’t done. Boschker came sprinting off his line, launching the ball back into AZ Alkmaar’s half. The visitors were throwing everything forward now.

But AZ Alkmaar were ready. Martens, calm as ever, intercepted the long ball and turned sharply, shaking off Brama’s challenge.