Winter wind touched the rooftops around Santa Cruz, creating an unusual scene that made the island feel a bit colder than usual. But inside the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, winter had no say.
The stands were already buzzing with excitement an hour before kickoff, fans bundled up in scarves, their breath visible in the chilly air, voices ringing out loud enough to slice through the cold. This was the final matchday of the Europa League group stage, and even though CD Tenerife had already clinched their spot in the next round, the atmosphere inside the stadium was anything but ordinary.
The group had taken some unexpected turns over the past few months. PSV Eindhoven and Tenerife were neck and neck on points, with only the tiniest margins and away goals separating them.
Twente came in with nothing to lose and everything to gain, which made them a risky opponent. Meanwhile, Kisla Krakow had already been knocked out, left to watch the drama unfold rather than take part. Everything Tenerife had worked for in Europe hinged on how they managed these crucial ninety minutes.
Laurence Gonzales stood on the touchline long before the teams took the field, hands tucked into his coat pockets, his gaze locked on the pitch. He was analyzing the spaces between the lines, considering how Twente might try to exploit the half-spaces, and pondering whether his wingbacks would keep their composure if pressed early on.
In the dressing room, his words were concise. The players were already well aware of what was on the line. Finishing at the top wasn't just about dodging a tougher opponent in the next round. It was about showing to everyone that Tenerife wasn't here just to be canon fodder.
Neymar was back on the left, rejuvenated after careful management of his injury. Griezmann was at the forefront, alert and eager. Joel held down the right side, valued for both his work ethic and skill. In midfield, Kikoto and Kante were the anchors, focused on maintaining balance. With Casemiro suspended, the responsibility fell squarely on them, and Laurence had made it clear all week what that entailed: no chaos.
In defense, Koulibaly anchored the center, flanked by Luna and Bellvís, while Cancelo and Grimaldo were instructed to be bold.
From the moment the whistle blew, their mentality was unmistakable. Tenerife pressed not with precision. Twente attempted to push through the middle early on, testing the solidity of the defense, but Kikoto quickly recognized the threat, stepping into passing lanes and forcing the ball wide. Each interception sparked a murmur of approval from the crowd. Laurence had aimed for control, not chaos.
Twente reacted by spreading the field, pushing their wingers up and trying to switch the play early on. Cancelo and Grimaldo were put to the test right away, but both held their ground, showing a level of restraint that might have been lacking earlier in the season. The players were making smart choices on their own.
As the game found its rhythm, Tenerife started to pass the ball with more assurance. Kante's first touch became sharper. Griezmann dropped back from the front line to pull defenders with him, opening up space behind. Neymar was selective with his moments, avoiding forced dribbles and recycling possession when the pressure came too quickly.
The breakthrough came from a clear-headed play. Joel received the ball wide on the right, one-on-one with his fullback. Instead of rushing, he shifted his body, waited for support, then burst forward just as his marker leaned the wrong way. The cross came in low and fast, aimed at an open space. Griezmann was already there, having slipped between the center-backs unnoticed. His finish was composed, more of a guided roll into the far corner.
For a second, there was silence. Then the stadium erupted.
After the goal, Twente responded with urgency, pushing higher and sending more players forward. There were some shaky moments—a loose clearance here, a mistimed press there. Koulibaly was constantly barking out instructions, adjusting the line to make sure no one strayed too far from their position.
Aragoneses was called into action once, smothering a low shot that slipped through the crowd, and the applause that followed was appreciative. Experience was crucial on nights like this.
At halftime, the atmosphere in the stadium was filled with a sense of cautious optimism. Laurence's words during the break emphasized the need for patience. He knew Twente would push forward, and that spaces would eventually open up. He was confident that the second goal would come if Tenerife didn't rush after it.
The first few minutes of the second half validated that instinct. Twente picked up the pace, their midfield moving higher up the pitch, and their wingers aggressively attacking the channels.
For a while, Tenerife found themselves pinned back, forced to clear the ball instead of building up their play. The crowd's tension grew, with every turnover met by a collective gasp.
But the defensive structure held firm.
Kikoto and Kante maintained their discipline, refusing to be pulled out of position. Cancelo tirelessly tracked the runners, while Grimaldo carefully chose his moments to step forward, always glancing over his shoulder before committing.
Then came the moment that shattered their resistance.
Neymar drifted in from the left, linking up with Kante in a quick exchange that momentarily split Twente's midfield. Rather than shooting or taking on another defender, he delicately clipped the ball toward the back post. Joel had timed his run to perfection, slipping away from his marker and meeting the cross with a composed header back across the goal.
When the net rippled, the roar from the crowd was immediate and deafening.
The last twenty minutes unfolded in a curious blend of tension and tranquility. Twente attempted to make their mark but seemed to lack the necessary conviction.
Meanwhile, Tenerife handled the ball with great intelligence, knowing when to slow things down and when to pick up the pace as opportunities arose. Substitutions were made. Quaresma stepped in to help maintain possession and draw fouls, while fresh legs of Ricardo Leon bolstered the midfield.
Fans sang, waved their scarves, and shouted instructions that went unheard but felt essential.
When the final whistle blew, a wave of relief washed over everyone. Players embraced one another, and staff exchanged knowing smiles. Laurence shook hands quickly before turning to the stands, giving a brief clap to acknowledge the supporters as he made his way down the tunnel.
Moments later, the scoreboard confirmed it: Tenerife was at the top of the group with fourteen points, PSV trailing behind, and Twente out of the running. What had started as an uncertain European campaign now carried a sense of purpose and credibility.