The whistle blew for the second half, and the atmosphere shifted immediately. The sun had dipped lower, casting long shadows across the UCAM Murcia pitch, but the energy remained relentless. Valencia had a slim 1‑0 lead, yet the players knew that a single lapse could undo all their work.
From the first whistle, Murcia returned with fire. Their midfielder, a stocky, relentless number eight, charged aggressively, pressing Valencia's defense at every touch. The home supporters cheered with growing intensity, sensing the momentum beginning to swing their way.
By the 50th minute, Valencia's midfield was scrambling. Alin Gera and Rodrigo Gamón tried to hold possession, but UCAM's press was suffocating. A misjudged pass from Victor Duran led to a turnover. UCAM's right winger cut inside, skipped past a sliding tackle, and threaded a cross into the box. The striker made perfect contact — a low shot that slipped through Abril's fingers and into the net.
"GOAL! UCAM Murcia equalizes!" the commentary crackled. "Valencia CF's early advantage erased as the home side takes control! The U18s need to respond quickly, or this could slip from their grasp."
The Valencia bench stiffened. Faces tightened. Paco Cuenca's expression remained calm, but the quiet authority in his eyes signaled that adjustments were necessary.
Álex, sitting on the bench beside Javi Torres, leaned forward. The tension in his chest mirrored the anticipation in the stadium. Two months ago, he had lifted the MIC trophy with the U15s, winning the MVP award, and now he was moments away from his first U18 appearance. His hands clenched the edge of his seat, muscles coiled with readiness.
The 60th minute saw Valencia press again, but Murcia's momentum was difficult to break. Every pass Valencia made was met with a double-team, and every attempt to push forward ended with a clearance. The crowd's volume grew louder with every near-miss, sensing the danger Valencia now faced.
Paco Cuenca called out instructions, pacing the sideline. "Patience! Don't force it! Switch the ball, stretch their lines! Eyes open!"
Álex's heart pounded. He knew this moment was approaching — a chance to make a mark. The tactical conversation in Paco's mind ran parallel to the match itself, teaching him, testing him, waiting for his cue.
And then, at 72 minutes, it came.
"Substitution for Valencia CF!" the commentator announced, excitement tinged with incredulity. "And what a moment this is. Alejandro Castillo, the youngest player in the División de Honor this season, steps onto the field! The 14-year-old playmaker, who recently led the U15s to MIC glory and won the MVP award, is about to make his debut! Joining him is Javi Torres, promoted from the U15s as well, moving to reinforce the wing. This is a golden opportunity for both young stars."
The Valencia players adjusted as the substitutes entered the field. Álex's heart was racing. The chants of supporters were muffled yet tangible in his chest as he ran toward the center circle, feeling the grass beneath his boots. Javi's presence on the wing created an immediate shift in energy — a youthful spark running through the squad.
The formation switched seamlessly under Paco's instructions: 4-2-1-3. Álex took the central CAM role, Jaume Durà shifted slightly deeper to provide stability, and Javi occupied the right wing, stretching Murcia's defense. The structure looked different, but the players adapted quickly.
The 73rd minute began with Murcia pressing high, trying to maintain their momentum. But Valencia now had a new threat — Álex, his first touch crisp, his vision acute. He received a short pass from Gamón, immediately drawing two defenders toward him. In an instant, he slipped a precise pass into the path of Javi Torres, who had already cut behind the left-back.
"Torres on the run!" the commentator shouted. "Castillo threads it beautifully — what composure for a 14-year-old making his debut! The pace and vision here are incredible!"
Javi reached the edge of the box but was quickly closed down. He delivered a measured cross into the heart of the penalty area. Álex, anticipating the trajectory, drifted into the perfect space, cutting between two defenders. His first touch was sublime, cushioning the ball as he set up the strike.
The shot — precise, low, unstoppable — hit the back of the net. Valencia CF took the lead once more.
"GOAL! Castillo with an unforgettable debut! The youngest player in the División de Honor this season has given Valencia the lead with a goal from a brilliant counterattack! What a statement from the academy's rising star!"
The stadium erupted. Even from the bench, Álex could feel the vibration of cheers. His teammates swarmed him, clapping, shouting, celebrating not only the goal but the injection of new energy he had brought to the squad. Paco Cuenca remained calm, but the corner of his mouth betrayed a faint smile — this was exactly the spark he had hoped to unleash.
The game surged forward. Murcia, now trailing, pressed desperately. They committed more players to attack, leaving gaps at the back. Álex read every move, eyes flicking, processing, calculating angles. At 80 minutes, Valencia intercepted another misplaced pass near midfield.
"Castillo receives… oh, look at his control!" the commentator exclaimed. "The youngest in the league isn't overwhelmed at all — he's orchestrating the play like a seasoned CAM!"
Álex feinted left, rolled right, and darted into the box. He spotted Dominykas Taučas making a diagonal run toward the far post. With surgical precision, he threaded the ball across the box. Taučas' first touch directed it to the back post, and Javi Torres, who had been trailing the run, struck it home.
"GOAL! Valencia CF doubles their lead! Castillo with the assist — unbelievable composure and vision from the 14-year-old! The MIC MVP shows exactly why he was so highly rated!"
The remaining ten minutes were tense. Murcia threw everything forward, but Valencia's defense, anchored by Alós, Rubén Martínez, and Mejía, held firm. Vicent Abril was flawless between the posts, reading the trajectory of crosses and parrying dangerous shots. Every clearance, every tackle, every interception was met with roars from Valencia supporters.
Álex's first half-hour on the pitch felt like an eternity. Every pass, every feint, every sprint had been analyzed and executed with the clarity of a player far beyond his age. He had already influenced two decisive moments: the goal and the assist.
The clock ticked toward 90 minutes. Murcia's desperation became apparent; their attacks lacked structure, their passes increasingly rushed. Valencia's midfield retained control, switching the ball quickly, exploiting the spaces left behind. Álex maintained his position, occasionally dropping slightly to collect the ball and orchestrate counterattacks.
The referee blew the final whistle of the match. Valencia CF had triumphed 3‑1 on the road. The team celebrated, lifting each other in a mix of relief and exhilaration. Álex was hoisted on the shoulders of his teammates briefly, the youngest debutant now a hero in his own right.
On the bench, Jaume Durà clapped him on the back. "You handled that like a veteran," he said with a grin. Javi Torres laughed, still catching his breath. "And we both made our mark too. Welcome to the U18, kid."
Paco Cuenca finally addressed the squad. "Excellent first match. You handled pressure, responded to adversity, and adapted when needed. Remember, this is just the beginning. Keep this intensity, keep this focus." His gaze lingered on Álex for a fraction longer. "And Alejandro… you have a bright future ahead. Today was a glimpse of what's possible."
Álex exhaled, a grin spreading across his face. The magnitude of the moment — debut, goal, assist — hadn't fully sunk in yet. But he felt it deep in his chest: this was the first of many steps, the first of countless nights where he would push, learn, and rise.