NOVPUB"Merino!"
It had been a while since Unique FC got their equaliser courtesy of Mateo, and since then, it had turned into a cagey affair for the Spanish side.
To avoid conceding another goal they had to play the defensive game as Unique FC were relentlessly pressing them, looking for a chance to get that winning goal.
The home team were taking their team looking for a chance to counterattack, but unfortunately for them, Unique FC had been defensively solid, not giving them the chance to even get out a shot.
As this was a game of football, the score was still tied despite all the relentless attacks from the Bilbeth Premier League side.
It took until the eightieth minute for a mistake from Minino to give Merino the chance to make a break through the middle.
The midfielder fired toward the goalpost just before he could get to the D box. It was a desperate and hopeful attempt to find the back of the net as they were unable to create anything at the moment.
Unfortunately, Dave was equal to the challenge as he dived toward the right just in time to catch the ball with both of his gloves.
"Good stop from Dave," Jim commented. "I wonder when we’ll be seeing a winner here."
’A draw is fine but I think everyone will be more at ease with a win. Then, we can just play a safe game in the second leg.’ Dave said inwardly as he quickly got up on his feet with the ball.
<Mm> Catherine responded.
The goalkeeper didn’t waste time sending the ball flying out to find Minino down the right close to the halfway line.
"Minino."
Emerson rushed toward the midfielder at that moment to dispossess him.
The opposing midfielder never expected his discomposed pressing to be his undoing as Minino took the chance to flick the ball past him before quickly taking off with it down the right.
"Minino is striding toward the opposition half, this might be a chance for Unique FC to create something."
Emerson was right behind him with his teammates trying to cut the midfielder out from the side.
Fortunately, he had Frankie sticking close for support.
The left-back rushed out at that moment to try and dispossess Minino, who seemed to be somewhat isolated with the ball at the moment.
However, before he could reach the ball, the midfielder sent the ball rolling back to Frankie.
The midfielder neatly drifted away from Emerson with the ball before returning the ball to Minino with a lobbed pass over the opposing players.
Minino, who had gotten past the defender, now neatly brought the ball down.
Looking ahead, he had a lot of space to cover before the centre backs would try to close him out.
However, he actually had no intention of keeping the ball much longer.
He had seen Mateo making a run into the box earlier. He wanted to get the ball to him.
The young winger was charging into the box now, two opposing players right behind him.
Seeing this, Minino pushed a little further with the ball before pulling his left foot back to send the ball flying toward the eighteen yard box with a dazzling trivela pass.
Seeing the approaching ball, Mateo dashed forward.
Making use of his speed, he got to the ball before any of the opposing players and he wasted no time meeting it with his head.
"Mateo!"
Exerting enough force, he sent the ball flying toward the top right corner of the goalpost.
Arnold couldn’t get to the ball on time as it flashed passed him, slamming into the net and pushing it back.
"Oh, my goodness! What was that?!" Jim couldn’t help but scream.
The atmosphere at the Reale Arena instantly erupted as the voice of the away fans seemed to reach the roof.
That was their winning and it was quite an exhilarating way to do it.
Mateo took off to the side, a bright smile on his face. He looked a bit nonchalant considering how everyone else was celebrating that.
Ferran was the first to get to him, and he couldn’t help but jump onto the youngster, who ended up catching him.
"That was awesome!" He screamed as he rubbed his hair.
The next person to get to the area was Minino, alongside the other teammates, and being the madman he was, he wasted no time dragging Mateo down.
"I knew something was going to happen!"
"Oh, my goodness what a flying header. I think Real Sociedad still cannot comprehend what just happened to them."
Jim was still in awe of that goal.
"Yeah, that was a wonderful goal but why is nobody talking about the assist? That pass from Minino is not something just anyone can pull off, that was masterful." Steve articulated.
"I can’t disagree, passes like that rarely come by in this game. I think there was a bit of luck in that but it paid off in the end." Jim commented. "The hearts of the Real Sociedad players and fans and players have just been shattered by this wonder kid. Fortunately, there’s still a few minutes left in the game and anything can happen in those few minutes."
"I doubt Unique FC will easily give them any chance now that they have the lead."
Back at the goalpost, Dave couldn’t stop smiling as he watched his teammates celebrate.
<Well, would you look at that>
’This team has really become something this season.’
<I would usually make fun of your sentimental comment but I agree on this one> 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
That goal from Mateo was the last nail in the coffin for Real Sociedad.
With the lead securely in their possession, Unique FC controlled the match and kept the game at a steady tempo until the final whistle.
The fans cheered and applauded as they watched the players begin to make their way toward the exit, some of them waving at them with bright smiles on their faces.
"And that’s Unique FC grabbing an important win against Real Sociedad away from home. The Spanish side will have to give it their all when they travel to Bilbeth next week if they want to salvage this one." Jim articulated.
"Eh, looking at how this match played out, I don’t think they have much of a chance."
Steve was speaking with the stats in mind. The match ended with Unique FC having seventy per cent possession of the ball to Real Sociedad’s thirty.
They had nineteen shots, nine of which were on target.
The home team, on the other hand, had seven shots, four of which were on target.
"The Bilbeth side could have easily scored more against them. That said, this is football, we’ll have to wait and see how the second leg plays out."
