The clock ticked into the 89th minute, and the air in the AFAS Stadion was thick with tension.
AZ Alkmaar's backline was stretched thin, and their legs felt heavy, but their resolve was unbroken.
Anzhi Makhachkala, sensing the moment of fatigue drawing in, launched another wave of attack.
Zhirkov, who was still full of energy, darted down the left flank, skipping past Elm with a deft touch before cutting inside.
He spotted Eto'o making a clever run into the box and delivered a through pass, slicing through the AZ Alkmaar defense like a knife through butter.
[Eto'o's in! He's got space! This is dangerous,] the lead commentator exclaimed, his voice climbing.
Eto'o controlled the ball effortlessly with his back to goal. Marcellis closed in to disrupt his next move, but the Cameroonian forward spun away with a quick turn, opening up a sliver of space.
[Vintage Eto'o right there! Can he finish this?]