The referee's whistle blew to end the match, and a roar thundered around Stadion Galgenwaard like never before that season. Utrecht 4-3 NAC Breda - Final Score. Amani collapsed to his knees on the turf, chest heaving, as the reality washed over him.
Teammates ruffled his hair and patted his back while the home crowd continued to chant his name in adoration. Many fans had their hands on their heads in disbelief, others were dancing, embracing strangers - the joy was unbridled. From despair to triumph, engineered by a teenager making his second appearance - it was a story for the ages.
Amani finally got back to his feet, and as he did, the Utrecht captain Alje Schut pulled him into a tight hug. "Incredible, jongen. You saved us," Schut said into his ear. Amani shook his head, still breathless, "We…we did it together."