Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King-Chapter 288: Pandemonium 3

The referee checked his watch. Three minutes remaining.

Chris: [Seconds remaining! This might be the final attack!]

Den Haag took their time with the goal kick.

The goal kick was taken short, Den Haag opting to keep possession rather than hoof it upfield.

Every second mattered now. The crowd was on edge, sensing the final moments of this heart-stopping match.

Rob: [Den Haag are being careful here. They don’t want to give it away cheaply!]

Chris: [But AZ Alkmaar are pressing high! They know this is their last chance!]

Beugelsdijk received the ball at the back and immediately found Holla in midfield. But before Holla could turn, Henriksen was on him—fast, aggressive, forcing an error.

Chris: [They’ve lost it!]

The ball spilled loose. Adam Maher reacted first, driving forward with urgency. The AZ Alkmaar bench leaped to their feet, sensing a final opportunity.

Rob: [They have to make this count!]

Maher spotted Berghuis peeling away on the right. A quick through ball. Berghuis sprinted onto it, his first touch taking him into space.

The Den Haag defense scrambled, but their legs were heavy now, their reactions slow.

Chris: [Berghuis again—can he finally provide the moment?]

He looked up. Altidore was in the 18 yard box, lurking, waiting. The cross was driven low, fast—

Blocked! A desperate slide tackle from Malone sent the ball spinning out for a corner.

Rob: [Another corner! This could be it!]

Berghuis rushed over, urgency in every movement. The AZ Alkmaar players crowded the penalty area.

The Den Haag defenders stood their ground, knowing they were seconds away from survival—or heartbreak.

Chris: [Everyone’s in the box!]

The delivery curled in, dipping dangerously. Bodies crashed together. Esteban Alvarado came out, flapping at it—

Loose ball!

Rob: [Who gets there first?!]

Chaos. A mad scramble. A sea of legs swinging wildly.

Then—

A shot! A thunderous strike from Henriksen!

Chris: [Henriksen—]

Saved! Coutinho parried it, but the ball bounced straight back into the six-yard box! freewebnøvel.coɱ

Rob: [Still in play!]

Altidore lunged—

Chris: [Altidore—]

Blocked! Beugelsdijk threw his body in the way, the ball deflecting out of the danger zone!

The Den Haag fans roared. Their players were collapsing, exhausted, barely holding on.

Chris: [This is pure desperation now!]

The ball rolled out toward the touchline. Berghuis chased it down. One last cross.

Rob: [Is there time?!]

He whipped it in.

Altidore leapt, his powerful frame rising above everyone—

A bullet header—

Chris: [This has to be it—]

OFF THE POST!

The stadium gasped in unison. The ball struck the inside of the post and rolled across the goal line—

Cleared!

The clearance sent the ball soaring toward midfield, but Den Haag wasn’t done yet. The referee checked his watch—there was only seconds remaining. The stadium was electric, and anticipation thick in the air.

Rob: [They have to get it forward one last time!]

Chris: [There’s still a chance!]

Kramer chased the ball down near the left sideline, shielding it from an onrushing defender. He turned, cutting inside, looking for an option. Van Duinen was making a run into the 18 yard box, waving his arm frantically.

The pass was perfect, slicing through the defense. Van Duinen controlled it on the first touch, but before he could shoot—

A clash ensued!

A desperate sliding challenge from Gorter sent Van Duinen tumbling to the ground.

Fweeeee!~

The whistle shrieked.

Rob: [Oh, my word! The referee is pointing to the spot!]

Chris: [Penalty! Penalty for Den Haag in the nick of added time! This is unbelievable!]

For a moment, time stood still. Then, an explosion of sound. Den Haag fans erupted in celebration, jumping, screaming, shaking the stands.

On the other side, AZ Alkmaar fans stood frozen in horror, hands on heads, and disbelief plastered across their faces.

Rob: [Drama at the death!]

Chris: [But wait—was there contact? Or rather... Enough contact to warrant a penalty?]

The AZ Alkmaar players swarmed the referee, shouting, pleading. Gorter spread his arms wide, shaking his head, his face twisted in protest. Henriksen and Martens stomped toward the official, gesturing furiously.

Chris: [They’re furious! They don’t believe it!]

Rob: [But the decision is made!]

On the touchline, Gertjan Verbeek’s hands were on his head, mouth open in shock. The AZ Alkmaar bench was in uproar.

On the opposite side, Maurice Steijn clenched his fists and roared, his assistant coaches embracing in sheer euphoria.

The replay flashed on the big screen in slow motion. Gorter’s foot was extended. Van Duinen went down. But was there contact? Yes... Minimal and almost too soft to hurt a fly, but the decision had been made.

Rob: [This is going to divide opinions for a long time!]

Chris: [It looked soft, but the referee didn’t hesitate!]

In his apartment, Benjamin was on his feet, eyes glued to the screen, heart pounding. He ran a hand through his hair, muttering under his breath.

"No way... No way he gave that!"

Back on the pitch, Van Duinen stood over the ball, wiping his face. His chest rose and fell rapidly, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Alvarado crouched on his line, bouncing lightly, his eyes locked onto the ball.

Rob: [This is it. The last kick of the game.]

Chris: [Score, and Den Haag wins it. Miss, and AZ Alkmaar gets to go home with a disappointing one point to their tally, and four points behind league leaders, Ajax]

Van Duinen took a deep breath and stepped back. The stadium was silent, the weight of the moment pressing down on every soul in attendance.

Alvarado adjusted his gloves, bouncing on his toes, eyes locked on the ball. His teammates stood at the edge of the penalty area, some with hands on hips, others frozen in nervous anticipation.

Rob: [It all comes down to this.]

Chris: [Van Duinen versus Alvarado. The final act in this incredible drama.]

Fweeeee!~

The referee blew the whistle. Van Duinen took his run-up—

He struck it hard and low, aiming for the bottom right corner.

Alvarado guessed right!