The clock ticked down toward halftime at the Mestalla, and Valencia was trailing Cádiz 2-1. The fans, a sea of orange and black, roared their encouragement as their talisman, Izan, orchestrated wave after wave of attack.
Izan, the focal point of Valencia's offence, moved with the ball as he approached the opponent's half.
His vision, pace, and uncanny ability to turn defenders inside out had the home as well as the away crowd buzzing with anticipation every time he touched the ball.
Another chance to equalize before the break came in the 39th minute. Izan, receiving the ball near the halfway line again, surged forward with purpose.
Cádiz's defence scrambled to keep up, but the youngster glided past two defenders with a flick and a feint, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Spotting José Luis Gayà overlapping on the left, Izan played a perfectly weighted through ball into the box.
