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Midway Through the First Half
The match's intensity grew as both teams fought for dominance in midfield. Mateo was starting to feel the pace of the game, his heart pounding as he tracked Valencia's movements. Diego Lopez, Valencia's dangerous winger, was becoming more involved, drifting inside to link up with the midfield.
Victor shouted commands to keep the midfield organized. Mateo found himself in a one-on-one situation with Carlos Ruiz again. Carlos attempted to body Mateo off the ball, but this time, Mateo used his smaller frame and agility to slip away, shielding the ball before passing back to Victor.
"Nice work!" Victor said.
System Update:
Strength: +1
Balance: +1
Mateo could feel his confidence growing with every touch.
---
At the 30-minute mark, Barcelona earned a free kick near the halfway line. Victor handed Mateo the ball and gestured for him to take it.
"Let's see what you've got," Victor said, testing his new midfield partner.
Mateo took a deep breath, scanning the field. He noticed Lucas making a run toward the right flank and curled the ball toward him. It was perfectly weighted, and Lucas controlled it effortlessly before advancing toward the goal.
"Great ball, Mateo!" Lucas yelled.
On the sideline, Raul crossed his arms, his face a mask of annoyance.
---
Valencia launched a dangerous counterattack in the 35th minute. Diego Lopez sprinted down the wing, easily beating Jordi again. Mateo sprinted back to cover, positioning himself to block Diego's path.
Diego tried to cut inside, but Mateo anticipated the move, stepping in to win the ball cleanly. The crowd cheered as Mateo calmly turned and played a simple pass to Victor to reset the attack.
Special Mission Completed: Neutralize Diego Lopez.
Rewards: +2 Stat Points, +5 System Points.
The system chimed:
Tip: "You can now allocate stat points. Recommended areas: Acceleration or Defensive Awareness."
---
Halftime Approaches
As the first half wound down, the Barcelona team began to control possession. Lucas drifted wide to create space, linking up with Mateo and Victor in quick one-touch passing sequences. Mateo was beginning to understand Lucas's playing style—a mix of flair and intelligence.
During a brief pause in play, Lucas jogged over. "You're doing great out there," he said.
"Thanks," Mateo replied. "I'm just trying to keep it simple."
"Keep doing that," Lucas said with a grin. "And if you see me in space, don't hesitate."
Raul, still warming up on the sidelines, watched the interaction with a clenched jaw.
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Halftime Whistle
The referee blew the whistle, signaling the end of the first half. The score remained 0–0, but Barcelona had started to gain the upper hand.
As the team walked off the field, Victor patted Mateo on the back. "Good first half, rookie. Keep it up."
Mateo smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
In the locker room, Coach Marc praised the team's efforts. "We're starting to control the game, but we need to finish our chances. Lucas, stay sharp in the box. Mateo, excellent work in midfield. Keep your positioning tight and don't let them exploit the flanks."
Mateo listened intently, feeling more confident than ever.
---
After the team talk, Mateo checked his phone. His mother had sent him a text:
"Watching you from the stands. So proud of you!"
Mateo smiled, reminded of why he was working so hard. His younger sister, Sofia, waved at him from the stands, holding a homemade sign that read, "Go Mateo!"
He waved back, his determination renewed.
---
As the players prepared to return to the field, Raul approached Mateo. "Don't think one good half makes you a starter," he said coldly.
Mateo didn't respond, choosing instead to focus on the game. Lucas, overhearing the exchange, placed a reassuring hand on Mateo's shoulder.
"Let him talk," Lucas said. "Your game speaks louder than his words."
Mateo nodded, grateful for Lucas's support.
---
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Chapter 13: The Second Half Begins
The players jogged back onto the field, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the pitch. Mateo wiped sweat from his forehead and adjusted his armband. Victor gave a quick pep talk to the midfield before the whistle blew.
"Stay disciplined. We've got this," Victor said firmly. Mateo nodded, feeling the weight of the team's trust in him.
Valencia kicked off the second half, immediately launching a long ball down the right wing. Mateo sprinted into position, keeping an eye on Diego Lopez, who was still their most dangerous player.
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A Defensive Stand
In the 47th minute, Diego Lopez broke through Barcelona's left flank yet again, cutting inside and unleashing a curling shot from the edge of the box. Mateo had anticipated the move, rushing back to block the shot with his body.
The ball ricocheted off his thigh and bounced harmlessly toward Victor, who cleared it upfield. Diego gave Mateo a sharp glare, but Mateo simply turned and jogged back to position.
System Update:
Defensive Awareness: +1
Reactions: +1
---
Transitioning
Barcelona began to dictate the pace of the game, passing the ball around confidently. Mateo's role as a deep-lying playmaker became more evident as he frequently dropped back to collect the ball from the defenders.
In the 55th minute, Mateo spotted Lucas making a diagonal run between Valencia's center-backs. Without hesitation, he chipped a perfectly weighted pass over the defense. Lucas controlled it on his chest and fired a shot, but the Valencia goalkeeper made a spectacular save.
"Unlucky!" Victor shouted, clapping his hands.
Lucas jogged back toward Mateo. "That pass was perfect. I'll finish the next one."
System Update:
Vision: +1
Short Passing: +1
---
The breakthrough came in the 60th minute. Mateo received the ball just inside Valencia's half, with two opponents pressing him. Instead of panicking, he executed a quick body feint and slipped the ball through to Victor, who had pushed forward.
Victor charged into the box and squared the ball to Lucas, who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner.
The stadium erupted as Barcelona's players celebrated. Victor turned and pointed to Mateo. "That's all you, kid!"
Lucas ran over and gave Mateo a high five. "I told you I'd finish the next one."
System Update:
Special Mission Completed: Create a Goal-Scoring Opportunity.
Rewards: +3 System Points, +2 Vision.
---
As the game progressed, Valencia grew increasingly frustrated. Carlos Ruiz, their towering midfielder, started playing more aggressively, shoving Mateo off the ball during a challenge. The referee blew the whistle, awarding Barcelona a free kick.
Mateo picked himself up, brushing off the dirt. Carlos sneered at him. "You're nothing special."
Lucas stepped in, standing between Mateo and Carlos. "Keep your head down and play your game," Lucas whispered to Mateo.
---
In the 75th minute, Mateo received the ball near the edge of Barcelona's penalty area. Valencia had committed players forward, leaving gaps in their defense.
Mateo dribbled past one opponent with a quick turn, then another with a perfectly timed nutmeg. Spotting Jordi Sanchez making a run on the left wing, Mateo delivered a pinpoint through ball. Jordi sprinted forward and crossed the ball into the box, where Victor was waiting to head it into the net.
"Two assists!" Victor shouted, beaming as the team celebrated. Mateo felt a rush of pride, knowing he had made a significant impact.
System Update:
Dribbling: +1
Composure: +1
Long Passing: +1
---
The Final Minutes
Barcelona maintained their 2–0 lead as the clock ticked toward full time. Mateo's confidence was evident in every touch, his passes crisp and his positioning flawless. Even Raul, watching from the bench, couldn't deny that Mateo was playing the best game of his young career.
As the final whistle blew, the Barcelona players gathered in a circle, celebrating their hard-earned victory. Victor clapped Mateo on the back. "Man of the match, no question."
Lucas grinned. "Looks like someone's making a name for himself."
---
In the locker room, Coach Marc praised the team's performance. "That's how you take control of a game. Mateo, fantastic work in midfield. You're proving you belong here."
Mateo's phone buzzed with messages from his family. His mom wrote, "So proud of you! Keep working hard!" Sofia sent a voice message, screaming, "Two assists! You're amazing!"
Mateo smiled, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment. The system chimed:
Match Rewards:
+5 System Points
Stat Points Available: 4
The screen displayed a suggestion:
"Allocate your stat points to improve your acceleration, stamina, or balance."
Mateo closed his eyes, imagining the challenges ahead. The journey to the first team was just beginning.
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