The game returned to its fast-paced and end-to-end format when the second half got underway.
Now that they were down by three goals to one, Team C came out with new energy and a determination to win the game back. Conversely, Team A aimed to increase their lead and end the match.
Missed opportunities and close calls marked the frantic first few minutes. Luka's well-timed through pass put Team A's right-winger, Elias, in space in the 33rd minute.
Elias ran down the line with his sights fixed on the goal. As he approached the box, he bent his body and fired a powerful shot that flew towards the top corner but narrowly missed the crossbar.
A few minutes later, Team C almost capitalized on a mistake committed by Team A on defense. Their tall forward, Kai, intercepted Johan's weak clearance.
Kai used his chest to control the ball and then he quickly passed it to his teammate who was running into the box.
His teammate immediately took a shot with his first touch of the ball but Freek was able to block the incoming shot with his outstretched leg since he was quick off his line.
Although he was relieved to see Freek make the save, Benjamin's mind was racing with the words, "We can't afford to let them get back into this."
The 40th minute was the decisive moment. Team C launched a flurry of attacks but Team A's defense remained firm.
The ball slid out to the left fullback, Stijn, who instantly searched for a way to escape the pressure as yet another shot was blocked in their own 18-yard box..
Stijn saw Tariq just outside the box looking unmarked and prepared to counter.
"Tariq, go!" Stijn yelled and lobbed the ball at him.
A second invitation was unnecessary for Tariq as he sprinted forward with the ball while looking around the field for options..
But Team C's defensive midfielders realized the danger and quickly closed in on him, forcing Tariq to halt his run.
Benjamin was already shifting his position in case he needed to drop back but Tariq didn't disappoint, his foot expertly controlled the ball and he turned and spotted Luka moving into space.
"Here, Tariq!"
Tariq sent the ball to Luka without hesitation after he called out his name.
Luka controlled the ball and then turned to charge forward.
Team C's defense struggled to get back into position with only one defender standing between Luka and the goal. But the defender was obviously wary of Benjamin and Elias, who were both running toward the box from the wings.
Pieters, their central striker, had also used his speed to get into position. He waved his hand frantically, calling for the ball as he neared the edge of the box. "Luka, pass it!"
Luka kept his eyes on the defender, who was caught in two minds, unsure whether to close down Luka or watch the wingers.
Luka then made a small body movement that suggested he was going to pass to Elias on the right. In response, the defender moved in Elias' direction.
Luka made a quick decision by feigning a pass to the right while playing a through ball to Benjamin on the left.
Benjamin's eyes brightened in anticipation.
He used his right foot to control the pass before charging into the box right away. The goalkeeper hurried out to try to block the angle.
Benjamin could hear the excitement spreading through the stands and the growing anticipation of the crowd. His heart was racing but his head was at ease.
"Remain calm," he told himself.
Benjamin made a number of fast step-overs to confuse the goalie as he rushed towards him. He then shifted slightly and feigned a shot which sent the goalkeeper flying in the wrong direction.
He left the goalkeeper on the ground as he moved past him and was soon looking at an open goal.
Benjamin chose not to take the shot himself but instead he unselfishly passed the ball to his teammate Elias who was wide open to his right. Elias calmly placed the ball into the back of the net.
Benjamin was unable to contain his smile as he hurried to Elias, who was beaming widely as the spectators cheered.
"Thanks for that, Ben!" Elias shoved Benjamin playfully and yelled over the din of the crowd.
"No problem," Benjamin said with a deep sigh and a rush of relief that they were now safely up.
In addition to being pleased by Benjamin's ability to beat the goalkeeper, the scouts in the VIP booths also expressed their admiration for his "team-first" approach to setting up the goal.
After the fourth goal, Team A's momentum increased while Team C appeared deflated and their energy was clearly dwindling. They had superior control of the ball and moved it through the midfield with ease.
However, Team C was still in the game and they were awarded a free kick just beyond Team A's 18 yard box in the forty-fifth minute. Their central midfielder took the kick and curled the ball in the direction of the top corner.
It almost appeared to be going in, but Freek's incredible dive allowed him to tip the ball over the bar.
The match went on at the same quick tempo, but it was obvious that Team A wanted to score another goal.
Benjamin found himself in good positions several times, weaving through defenders and creating opportunities for his teammates.
In the 50th minute, Benjamin picked up the ball just inside Team C's half.
He noticed Pieters making a diagonal run toward the box, a defender struggling to keep up with him. Benjamin sent a perfectly weighted pass toward Pieters, splitting the defense.
Pieters ran onto the ball and tried to control it, but his first touch was too heavy. The ball rolled ahead of him, and before he could recover, the goalkeeper rushed out and smothered it.
Pieters slammed the ground in frustration, shaking his head.
"Unlucky!" Benjamin called out, offering encouragement. 'We're getting closer,' he thought. 'One more goal will kill the game off.'
Minutes later, he found himself in another promising position.
Luka, the playmaker, slipped a through ball past Team C's right-back, allowing Benjamin to cut inside toward the edge of the box. It all came together in a fluid movement.
As Benjamin surged forward, he felt the pressure building. He could hear the opposing fullback's footsteps getting closer, and just ahead, another defender was ready to close him down.
'Two of them,' he noted. His teammates were marked tightly, so passing wasn't an option. 'I've got to do this on my own.'
Benjamin took a deep breath and slowed down, allowing the first defender to commit. He started a series of step-overs, his feet moving rapidly over the ball.
The fullback paused, looking unsure of when to make his move and Benjamin sensed his opportunity at that moment.
He made a quick rainbow flick, sending the ball over the defender's head. Benjamin sped past the opponent, who was totally unprepared and twisted his body awkwardly.
Disbelief erupted in the crowd. He had left the fullback in the dust.
However, there was no time to rejoice. In an attempt to stop Benjamin before he could get to the box, the second defender had closed in. Still on the momentum from his last play, Benjamin confidently went up to the second defender.
He did couple more step-overs, then he feinted left, causing the defender to shift his weight. In that moment of imbalance, Benjamin performed an inverted elastico, a sharp movement that sent the ball cutting to the right.
The defender stumbled as Benjamin breezed past him and into the edge of the box.
Benjamin instinctively glanced up and saw that the goalie was a bit off his line. He put his foot around the ball and curled it toward the top corner. It was a powerful strike that flew through the air in a perfect arc.
It was too late when the goalkeeper dived and extended his hands. At the last second, the ball dropped and nestled into the top corner.
Stunned by what they had just seen, the stadium was silent for a moment. Then there was a roar of cheers and applause from the spectators.
The scouts hurriedly scribbled in their notebooks, obviously astonished by Benjamin's impressive demonstration of skill.
For a minute, Benjamin remained motionless, taking in the scene that had just transpired. A wide smile spread across his face as his heart thumped in his chest. His teammates hurried over to give him a back pat and tousle his hair.
"That was unreal, Ben!" Luka yelled and pulled him in a hug.
"Insane!" Tariq added with wide, incredulous eyes.
From the sidelines, coach Jansen, who rarely displayed emotion, gave himself a proud smile. He crossed his arms, nodding as if to say, 'That's what I've been waiting for.'
On the other side of the pitch, however, not everyone was pleased. Lars, Team D's right fullback, who had been watching from the bench, grimaced. It unnerved him to see Benjamin tearing through defenders like that.
With his mind racing, Lars gripped his hands. He looked at Benjamin and thought, 'I need to stop someone like him if I want to impress the scouts. I won't hold back when we face off next.'
Team C tried to gather together as the game resumed, but it was obvious that their spirits had been crushed. Their spirits had been dampened by Benjamin's goal.
Team A maintained possession of the ball and denied Team C any clear opportunities as the game came to a close.
The match was finally over when the referee blew the final whistle. The score was 5-1 in favour of Team A.
Benjamin exhaled deeply as exhaustion overcame him. Although he congratulated his teammates and shook hands, his thoughts were still racing after scoring the goal.
Coach Jansen came up to Benjamin as they left the field. "Today's game was fantastic. You played really well."
"Thanks, Coach," Benjamin said as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. However, he believed that this was only the beginning.
As the players headed to the locker room to take a shower and rest before the start of the match between Team B and Team D, Lars remained behind, closely observing Benjamin.
When they faced each other in the final match, he had made the decision that things would be different.
He would be brutal in his tackles if getting attention meant stopping Benjamin. With resolve shining in his eyes, Lars thought, "I'll show that I'm the best defender on the field."