Chapter 44 : Final(2)

The first real breakthrough of the match came in the 33rd minute, when Barcelona earned a free kick just outside the Espanyol penalty area. The referee had given the decision after a foul by Víctor Sánchez on Luis Suárez, who had been drifting towards the box. The tension around the Mestalla grew as the players lined up in anticipation.

Lionel Messi stood over the ball. His eyes were focused, his stance calm, and the weight of the occasion resting heavily on his shoulders. He had already proven time and again that he was a master at these moments. Espanyol set up a defensive wall, but there was little that could prepare them for what Messi had in store.

Ian Darke:

"Messi, as always, ready to take this one. A dangerous position for Espanyol. Can Messi break the deadlock?"

Àxel Torres:

"Messi is lethal from these positions. Espanyol will have to be perfect with their wall and their positioning."

With a deep breath, Messi took a few steps back before curling the ball around the wall. The trajectory was impeccable—a low, swirling shot that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Kiko Casilla moved to his right, fully stretched, but the ball slid past his outstretched fingers, hitting the inside of the post and nestling into the back of the net.

Ian Darke:

"Unstoppable! Lionel Messi with a free kick that only he could execute! Espanyol's wall did its best, but that ball was placed perfectly, and Casilla had no chance. Barcelona take the lead in the final!"

Àxel Torres:

"A trademark Messi free kick. The precision, the power, the curl—it's everything we've come to expect from him. Espanyol have their work cut out now."

The Barcelona players erupted in celebration, with Messi raising his arms in triumph. His teammates crowded around him, but Messi simply nodded, acknowledging the hard-fought goal. Espanyol, now trailing 1-0, had to regroup quickly.

Espanyol's defenders exchanged looks of frustration, knowing that despite their efforts, there was little they could have done to prevent that masterful free kick.

Ian Darke:

"Espanyol will feel hard done by. They've played well, but Barcelona's quality shines through when it matters most. It's 1-0 to the Catalan giants, and they'll look to build on this lead."

Àxel Torres:

"One moment of brilliance from Messi, and Barcelona are ahead. Espanyol can't let this goal shake their confidence; they've been in this game from the start."

With the goal now behind them, Espanyol needed to react quickly, but the task had become much harder. The game had just shifted, and the Copa del Rey final was now truly underway.

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The match had resumed with Espanyol pushing hard for an equalizer, but Barcelona was ruthless, countering with their trademark tiki-taka style. Every pass was precise, every touch controlled. Espanyol, desperate to find their footing, were stretched as Barcelona's quick interplay shredded their defensive lines.

It started with Busquets playing a simple pass to Iniesta, who had dropped deep into the midfield. With a deft touch, Iniesta sent the ball wide to Neymar, who was already charging down the left wing. The Brazilian tricked his marker with a quick feint and floated a pass into the box. The ball was perfectly placed, just inside the penalty area, for Luis Suárez to chase.

Ian Darke:

"Barcelona's passing is just mesmerizing! Every touch, every pass, so effortless. Espanyol's defense can barely keep up."

Àxel Torres:

"That's the hallmark of Barcelona's style—fast, fluid, and unrelenting."

As Suárez stretched for the ball, he was clipped by Álvaro González, who had slid in to block the pass. The contact was enough for the referee to point straight to the spot. The Mestalla erupted in mixed reactions as Suárez fell to the ground, clutching his ankle.

Ian Darke:

"Penalty! It's a penalty for Barcelona! Suárez with a clever run into the box, but a mistimed challenge from González brings him down. The referee doesn't hesitate."

Àxel Torres:

"It looked soft, but it was a clear foul. González will feel hard done by, but he gave the referee no choice."

Luis Suárez dusted himself off, quickly standing up and jogging toward the penalty spot. The Barcelona crowd waited in anticipation, while the Espanyol players anxiously glanced at the referee, hoping for a reversal.

Messi, as usual, stepped back to allow Suárez to take the kick. Suárez's face was focused, his eyes fixed on the goal. He placed the ball, took a short run-up, and fired it confidently to the bottom left corner. Kiko Casilla dove in the opposite direction, but the ball was already in the net.

Ian Darke:

"Suárez makes no mistake from the spot! 2-0 to Barcelona, and they are now in control of this final."

Àxel Torres:

"Clinical, composed—there's no doubt about it. Espanyol now have a mountain to climb. 2-0 down against one of the best teams in the world, it's going to take something special to get back into this."

The Barcelona players celebrated, knowing the pressure was mounting on Espanyol. As for Espanyol, it was clear their dream of lifting the Copa del Rey was fading, but the match wasn't over yet. They still had time, and with a player like Nico Cruyff on their side, nothing was impossible.

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The match had settled into a fast-paced rhythm, with both teams playing with relentless intensity. Barcelona, holding a 2-0 lead, continued to press high, trying to break Espanyol's spirit. But Espanyol weren't backing down—they were hungry for a goal.

Moments earlier, Neymar had made a dazzling run into the box, only for Héctor Moreno to make a last-ditch block. Luis Suárez pounced on the rebound, but his shot went wide. A huge miss for Barcelona, and it allowed Espanyol to launch a counter.

The ball was quickly cleared by Víctor Sánchez, and the counter-attack started fast. Nico Cruyff, always alert, found the ball in midfield and immediately looked up. He spotted Lucas Vázquez making a run on the right wing and sent a perfectly timed pass. Vázquez pushed forward, attempting to link up with Felipe Caicedo in the box, but Javier Mascherano made an interception.

However, Mascherano's clearance was intercepted by Nico with a sharp touch. Nico surged forward, moving past Mascherano with a quick dribble, but as he cut into open space, he was brought down by Jordi Alba just outside the penalty area. The referee didn't hesitate and blew his whistle.

Ian Darke:

"A foul on Nico Cruyff, and it's in a dangerous position—right on the edge of the box."

Àxel Torres:

"We've seen him do this before, Ian. This is Nico's specialty. If anyone can pull Espanyol back into the game, it's him."

Nico stood over the ball, his eyes scanning the goal and the positioning of the Barcelona wall. The stadium fell silent, anticipating his next move. With a deep breath, Nico took a few steps back and approached the ball with his usual composure.

The strike was smooth and precise. Nico's technique was nothing short of magical—the ball curved left, then suddenly whipped right, as if guided by an invisible force. It was his trademark Invisible Hand free kick, and once again, it left the goalkeeper helpless.

Ian Darke:

"What a strike from Nico Cruyff! The 'Invisible Hand' works its magic once again, and Espanyol are right back in this! 2-1!"

Àxel Torres:

"Unbelievable! The vision, the technique, the composure—Nico is showing why he's been dubbed the Crown Jewel of La Masia. A 14-year-old doing that in a Copa del Rey final? Incredible."

The ball nestled perfectly in the top-right corner, just beyond Ter Stegen's reach. The crowd erupted in joy as Nico ran towards the corner flag, his expression calm, a subtle smile on his face as he knelt down in his usual celebration—a sign of respect for the game, his team, and the occasion.

Ian Darke:

"That's why they call him special—Nico Cruyff with a sensational free kick, and Espanyol are back in the fight. It's 2-1, and this final is far from over!"

Àxel Torres:

"A brilliant free kick from the youngster. He's not just playing in this final—he's showing he belongs among the best of them. Espanyol have found their spark."

The goal was exactly what Espanyol needed, reigniting their hopes of a comeback. The fans, who had been quiet moments earlier, roared in unison, their belief in the team stronger than ever. The game was far from decided, and Espanyol were ready to keep pushing.

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Espanyol Locker Room – Half-Time

The referee's whistle echoed through Mestalla, signaling the end of a pulsating first half. Espanyol had shown heart, despite trailing 2-1 to their fierce rivals Barcelona. The players slowly made their way back to the locker room, their faces a mixture of determination and frustration, but there was a sense of belief as well.

As the door closed behind the players, Sergio González stood up, ready to address his squad. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the tired yet focused faces of his players.

Sergio González:

"Alright, listen up. We're down by one, but we're not out of this. We've shown them that we're capable of going toe-to-toe with them. The way we've controlled possession, the movement off the ball—we're playing the right way. But we've got to tighten up a little, especially at the back."

He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.

Sergio González:

"Defensively, we can't afford to let them get those easy passes through our lines. Their goals came from quick transitions and a little bit of our own mistakes. We fix that in the second half, and we'll have a real chance here."

He turned to Héctor Moreno and Álvaro González.

Sergio González:

"Mascherano and Piqué will press you hard. Don't rush. Stay composed. Let's not get caught up in their tempo. When we win the ball, we need to move it quickly. Nico, you've been fantastic so far. That free kick was brilliant—just the kind of magic we need. Keep finding those pockets of space, keep being that link."

Nico, his expression calm, nodded slightly.

Sergio González:

"We're still in this. We've got 45 minutes to make a statement. Espanyol is more than capable of turning this around. Play with the heart you've shown in the first half, but now let's be more ruthless. If we get the chances, we have to bury them."

Víctor Sánchez, the captain, stood up and addressed the team, his voice steady but with fire behind it.

Víctor Sánchez:

"Look around, this is the biggest match we've had in years. We're up against Barcelona, but we know we're just as capable as they are. We've got the fight, we've got the quality. Let's give everything for this half."

José Cañas and Sergio García exchanged nods of agreement. The atmosphere in the room was one of unity and focus. There was no panic, just a collective belief that the match was far from over.

Sergio González:

"Alright, let's go out there and give it everything. We've got 45 minutes to make history. Let's make it count."

The players rose, fired up, each one focused on the second half. Nico Cruyff was already thinking ahead. He had no intention of leaving this game without giving his all—he knew the chance was there. The stage was set for a second-half spectacle. The battle for the Copa del Rey was only just beginning.

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Barcelona Locker Room – Half-Time

The Barcelona locker room was full of energy, but there was an air of calm confidence. The players had come into the break ahead, but the game was far from over. As the door closed behind them, the room fell into a brief, quiet tension before Luis Enrique stood up, his presence commanding immediate attention.

Luis Enrique:

"Alright, listen up," he said, his voice steady but firm. "We're 2-1 up, but that's not enough. Espanyol have shown they're dangerous—especially on the counter. We've let them get a little too much space at times. We need to be tighter in midfield, especially when we lose the ball. They're looking for Nico's runs—he's going to keep pulling off those tricks. But we know him, we know what he can do."

He turned to Gerard Piqué and Javier Mascherano, both of whom had been sharp but had been caught out on a few occasions by Espanyol's quick counters.

Luis Enrique:

"Piqué, Masche, don't get drawn into unnecessary tackles. Stay calm, don't overcommit. We've seen the kid's free kicks, we know he's got that range. Keep your shape, don't let them get the quick passes through."

Piqué nodded, rubbing his chin as if reflecting on the game so far.

Luis Enrique:

"Midfield—Busi, Iniesta, Rakitic, you need to keep control. Espanyol are aggressive, but we can dominate the middle. Short passes, quick combinations. We dictate the pace. Don't let them settle, don't let them feel like they're in the game."

Sergio Busquets gave a quick nod, his eyes scanning the room as if already mentally preparing for the second half.

Luis Enrique:

"Neymar, Suárez—press them high, put their defense under pressure. We need to suffocate them. Messi, you know what to do. If we play the ball to you, you decide. Take on their defense, create the space for others. But most importantly, we need to keep up the intensity. If we let up, Espanyol will smell blood."

Messi, as always, simply nodded, his gaze distant, already thinking ahead. The only response he gave was a slight smirk, as if to say, "I've got this."

Luis Enrique took a moment to let his words sink in, his gaze moving over each player.

Luis Enrique:

"Espanyol are no joke. They've shown they can compete. But we're Barcelona. We're the best. Keep your heads in the game, and we finish this. We finish it strong."

Luis Suárez, always fired up, pounded his chest.

Luis Suárez:

"We don't let them come back. We finish them off, right here, right now."

Luis Enrique:

"Exactly. This is our game. We've got the quality to kill this match. Go out there and show them why we're the champions."

The players stood, slapping each other on the back, and the energy in the room spiked. They were fired up, ready to carry the pressure into the second half.

As they made their way out of the locker room, Messi and Neymar exchanged a quiet glance. Nico Cruyff had already proved he was a force, and there was no underestimating him. But Barcelona had a different mentality: they were here to win.

The game was only halfway through, but the battle for the Copa del Rey was becoming an unforgettable contest. The second half would be the decider.

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