The cross curled in, dipping dangerously toward the penalty spot.
Nwofor leapt, connecting with a powerful headertraight at Esteban.
Rob: [Right at the keeper!]
A collective exhale from the crowd. Esteban Alvarado clutched the ball to his chest, holding on as if his life depended on it. For a second, he didn’t move—just lay there, catching his breath, letting the tension settle.
Chris: [That was the mont. If Nwofor had placed it anywhere else, this ga could’ve been level]
Benjamin’s leg wouldn’t stop bouncing. He checked the clock. Eighteen minutes left. Still too much ti.
Alvarado finally rose, scanning the pitch before rolling it short to Gorter. No need to rush. They had the lead.
AZ Alkmaar tried to slow it down, but VVV-Venlo weren’t having it. They pressed high, forcing mistakes, forcing long balls that were easily won back.
And now—here ca another attack.
Post slid a pass into the half-space, where Van Crooij peeled off his marker. He cut inside, opening his body—
Chris: [Van Crooij... looking for the angle!]
He hit it early. A curling effort toward the far post.
Esteban Alvarado scrambled for it but he ball whistled past the upright.
Rob: [Just wide!]
A nervous murmur swept through the stands. The AZ Alkmaar players exchanged glances. The nerves were creeping in.
Benjamin’s grip tightened around his Coke can. This wasn’t good. AZ Alkmaar needed to kill the ga. Now.
Victor Elm seed to sense it too. He gestured for calm, then took control, slowing things down in midfield. A sharp turn, a quick pass to Henriksen—who switched it out wide to Berghuis.
Chris: [Here we go again. AZ Alkmaar looking to finish this off.]
Berghuis took his ti. He had space, but instead of rushing, he waited. Let the defenders commit.
Then—acceleration.
A burst forward, a sharp cut inside, and suddenly the pitch opened up.
Altidore made the run. The timing was perfect, so he thought.
Berghuis played him through.
Rob: [Altidore’s in!]
One-on-one with Mäenpää.
Benjamin held his breath.
Altidore took a touch. Then another.
Mäenpää rushed out, arms wide—
A chip.
The ball floated over the keeper, nestling into the back of the net.
GOOAAAALLLL!!!
The stadium exploded.
Chris: [THIS TI IT SHOULD COUNT!]
Rob: [JOZY ALTIDORE—ICE COLD! AND THAT SHOULD BE THE GA!]
Altidore tore away in celebration, fists clenched, roaring into the night. His teammates piled onto him, the relief washing over them all.
Benjamin finally exhaled. Finally.
3-1.
The fight was over.
VVV-Venlo slumped. Heads dropped. Their energy—the belief—it was gone.
Chris: [You have to feel for them. They fought. They really did. But AZ Alkmaar just had too much.]
Rob: [And Altidore—he deserved that. He’s been relentless all night.]
But then—
Fweeeee!~
The whistle cut through the celebrations like a blade.
Chris: [Wait...]
The stadium noise faltered, confusion rippling through the crowd. Players slowed mid-sprint, turning toward the referee.
Rob: [Oh, no...]
The linesman stood stiff, flag raised. Offside.
Altidore stopped dead, arms still outstretched. His expression shifted—first confusion, then frustration. He turned, pleading, shaking his head.
Chris: [The flag is up!]
The replay flashed on the big screen. It was close. Inches. Maybe even less. Berghuis had released the pass just a fraction too late.
Boos rained down from the stands.
Rob: [That is agonizing. Jozy Altidore thought he had buried the ga. But the goal won’t stand.]
Altidore stood with hands on his head, disbelief written all over his face. The frustration in the crowd swelled.
Benjamin gritted his teeth. This ga refused to end.
Chris: [Another twist. And AZ Alkmaar still have work to do.]
VVV-Venlo, suddenly fueled by a second wind, wasted no ti restarting play. The ball zipped forward, catching AZ Alkmaar montarily off guard.
Post collected it near the center circle. One quick glance—then a slicing pass out to Van Crooij on the right.
Chris: [AZ Alkmaar need to switch on! VVV-Venlo are coming right back at them!]
Van Crooij took off, bursting down the wing. Jørgensen scrambled across to close him down, but the winger was quick, shifting his weight and darting inside.
Nwofor was waiting in the 18 yard box, hovering near the penalty spot.
Chris: [This could be dangerous!]
Van Crooij whipped in the cross. Fast, driven.
Nwofor lunged, stretching out a leg—
A deflection!
The ball skidded toward goal—
Esteban Alvarado reacted, diving low to his right, getting his fingertips to it!
He got just enough to push it wide.
Rob: [What a save!]
The tension in the stadium was unbearable. VVV-Venlo refused to go away.
Chris: [Unbelievable. AZ Alkmaar are living on the edge here. They need to see this out.]
Corner kick.
VVV-Venlo players crowded the 18 yard box, jostling for position. The delivery ca, curling into the heart of the area.
Bodies rose. Arms tangled. The ball flicked off a head—
Chaos.
It pinballed in the box before Reijnen managed to hack it away.
The counter was on.
Henriksen pounced on the loose ball, turning sharply before launching a pass upfield. Berghuis was already sprinting, his legs pumping, eating up the ground.
Chris: [Here we go! AZ Alkmaar breaking forward!]
Berghuis didn’t hesitate. A quick glance—Altidore was making the run again.
The pass ca. Precise. Perfectly weighted.
Altidore sprinted onto it, eyes locked on the ball, the goal growing larger with each stride.
Chris: [This is the mont! Altidore—one-on-one with Mäenpää!]
The crowd held its breath. The ga hung in the balance.
Altidore took a touch. Steadying himself.
Mäenpää rushed out, closing the gap.
Rob: [He has to finish this!]
Altidore went for power—striking low, hard—
But he scuffed it.
The ball skewed off his boot, rolling harmlessly wide of the post.
Gasps. Groans. Hands to heads.
Chris: [He’s missed it!]
Rob: [I don’t believe it! Jozy Altidore had the ga on a plate, and he’s put it wide!]
Altidore stood frozen, hands on his hips, staring at the turf. He knew. That was it. That was the chance to end it.
Mäenpää didn’t waste ti. He grabbed the ball, urging his teammates forward. VVV-Venlo had been let off the hook, and they knew it.
Chris: [How big could that miss be? There’s still ti left... and VVV-Venlo are not done yet.]
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