The locker room at Alboraya's stadium was thick with tension. Valencia's players sat scattered across the benches, towels draped over their shoulders, breathing heavily after a frantic first half that had left them behind 2–1. The smell of sweat and liniment mixed with the nervous energy that clung to the walls. Paco Cuenca stood at the front, clipboard in hand, scanning his team with sharp, calculating eyes.
"Listen," he began, voice cutting through the murmur of low conversations, "we're still in this. Two goals down is nothing. You know why?" His gaze swept across the players, settling briefly on each one. "Because we have the talent, the structure, and the belief. But we've been sloppy on the ball. Poor decisions in the midfield, missed passes, and weak pressing have allowed them to dictate the pace. That ends now."
Rodrigo Gamón and Alin Gera exchanged glances. They had both felt the sting of Alboraya's pressure, their passes intercepted too easily. Cuenca continued, his voice rising slightly.
"Defense, you've got to stay compact. Carlos, Rubén, Iván – communicate. Don't let the gaps open. Victor, support the midfield and watch the transitions. Midfield, control the tempo. You've been letting them push us backward. And forwards – Javi, Pablo, Dominykas – create movement, stay alert, anticipate. But most importantly, trust your team."
The room fell silent, the kind of silence that wasn't emptiness, but a vacuum of concentration. Paco tapped the clipboard once. "Half-time adjustments. Durà, you've been our CAM, but we need sharper attacking coordination. Hugo, you've been pulled wide defensively. For the second half, we're making a tactical change. Formation 4-2-1-3. Aggressive, fast transitions, central control with the CAM, two defensive mids holding the line. And…" he paused, letting the words sink in, "…we're bringing in #27."
Heads turned as Álex Castillo, the youngest on the squad at 14, rose from the bench, eyes sharp and focused, already aware of the responsibility he carried. Paco's gaze met his. "You know what to do, Álex. Be decisive. Control the tempo, distribute quickly, find the forwards. Your last two matches have shown what you're capable of. Now do it for the team."
Álex nodded, fists clenching slightly. He could feel the weight of the first half's deficit, the murmurs in the stands from the commentators talking about him being the youngest in the league this season and his MIC MVP performances. He wasn't just stepping on the pitch—he was stepping into expectation.
"Alongside him," Paco continued, "Yaroslav Boyko comes in to support the forward line. Dominykas moves slightly to adapt. Durà and Hugo, you come off to balance the formation. 4-2-1-3. Keep the ball, quick transitions, press immediately after loss. We can do this."
The players adjusted, exchanged nods, and a quiet fire sparked among them. The second half would be theirs.
The stadium erupted as the referee's whistle signaled the start of the second half. Valencia, now in their slightly altered 4-2-1-3 formation, had Álex (#27) at the central attacking pivot. Javi Torres stayed on the right wing, Pablo Reyes held the left, and Yaroslav Boyko surged forward alongside Dominykas Taučas. Rodrigo Gamón and Alin Gera formed the double pivot in midfield, while Carlos Alós, Rubén Martínez, Iván Mejía, and Victor García reinforced the backline. Vicent Abril stood tall in goal, eyes scanning the unfolding field.
Commentator Rafael Morales' voice boomed over the stadium speakers and television broadcast:
"And we're back here in Alboraya! Valencia are trailing 2–1 after a first half dominated by Alboraya's pressing. But here comes a twist—young Álex Castillo, the 14-year-old sensation, MIC MVP in his last tournament, comes on immediately after halftime. He'll take the CAM role, wearing number 27. Expect fireworks, folks!"
Valencia immediately started more aggressively. Álex touched the first ball, cushioning it with a controlled first touch, turning sharply to face the defense. He drew a foul on the right edge of the box, giving Valencia a free-kick opportunity. Gamón delivered a curling ball into the penalty area, but the defenders cleared efficiently. Álex gestured, pointing, orchestrating movement from the forward line.
A quick counter-press from Alboraya saw Javi Torres intercept a pass near the right flank. He dribbled past one defender and laid the ball back to Álex, who was already surveying the box. With a flick of his left foot, Álex threaded a diagonal ball to Pablo Reyes, who took a touch, pivoted, and shot—but the goalkeeper deflected it into the post. Crowd groaned and cheered simultaneously.
Alboraya retaliated, pushing high up the field. A long ball over the Valencia defense found a forward racing into the box. Carlos Alós held his ground, sliding across to intercept. The clearance fell to Alin Gera, who calmly passed it to Álex. His composure was evident. He turned, spotted the run of Javi Torres, and delivered a perfect through ball—but the winger was slightly offside. Linesman's flag went up.
Valencia maintained possession in midfield. Álex dribbled past two defenders in tight space, performing a smooth Cruyff turn, shaking off pressure. The fans on the terraces clutched their scarves, shouting encouragement.
The commentator exclaimed: "Look at Castillo! The young CAM weaving through like he's done this a hundred times!"
Valencia's persistence paid off. A short pass sequence between Gamón, Álex, and Yaroslav Boyko opened a tiny gap in Alboraya's backline. Álex received the ball at the top of the box. With a swift glance, he measured the distance, turned his body, and struck a curling shot from outside the penalty area. The ball arced beautifully, eluding the keeper's dive, and nestled into the top right corner.
GOAL! Valencia 2–2 Alboraya!
The stadium erupted. Fans jumped to their feet, waving flags, chanting Álex's name. His teammates surrounded him, lifting him briefly in celebration. Commentator Morales roared: "Unbelievable! What a strike from the 14-year-old Castillo! Valencia equalize immediately after halftime. Absolute class on display!"
Momentum was firmly with Valencia now. Álex, full of confidence, pinged a crisp pass to Dominykas Taučas on the left wing, who cut inside, drawing two defenders. Álex anticipated the pass back and intercepted a loose clearance, delivering a precise low ball to Pablo Reyes, who slotted it into the net.
GOAL! Valencia 3–2!
Commentary: "Castillo with the assist! His vision, his awareness—this is exactly why he's been MVP at the MIC! What a turnaround!"
Valencia's bench erupted as Javi Torres clapped, the two defensive midfielders nodded approvingly. The remaining Alboraya players looked rattled, their lead slipping away.
Alboraya attempted to regroup, pushing aggressively forward. Iván Mejía made a sliding interception, clearing the ball to Gamón, who immediately released Álex. He dribbled, performed a neat nutmeg on a defender, breaking the line, and threaded the ball perfectly to Yaroslav Boyko, who finished low past the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Valencia 4–2!
Commentary: "Another assist from Castillo! Two assists and one sensational goal already this half! This is why the young man is called the future of Valencia's academy!"
The crowd erupted, with Valencia fans chanting loudly, waving banners of the club and the number 27. On the sidelines, Paco Cuenca smiled, arms folded, observing how Álex orchestrated the attack seamlessly.
The rest of the match saw Valencia controlling possession. Álex dropped slightly to link midfield and attack, dictating tempo, performing stepovers and Cruyff turns to evade pressure. Every movement of his seemed calculated. Alboraya pressed, desperate for a way back, but the defense, anchored by Carlos Alós and Rubén Martínez, stayed organized. Iván Mejía's overlapping runs and Victor García's ball recoveries ensured no counter-attack was successful. Gamón and Gera maintained balance in midfield.
The commentary maintained a high energy: "Valencia showing incredible composure now! Look at #27 Castillo, the youngest in the league this season, orchestrating everything! He's been instrumental in both goals and the equalizer! The fans can't get enough!"
As the final whistle blew, Valencia had completed the comeback. Álex had a goal from outside the box and two assists, earning him the MVP award once again. Teammates lifted him on their shoulders as the stadium cheered, the commentator summing up:
"And there you have it! Valencia CF come from behind to win 4–2! And it's young Álex Castillo, just 14, who's taken this match by storm! Goal, two assists, and the heart of Valencia's resurgence today!"
The players slowly returned to the dressing room, drenched in sweat but elated. Paco Cuenca patted Álex on the back. "Excellent work. You dictated the game. That's how a CAM should lead a comeback."
Álex's chest heaved with exhaustion and satisfaction. The young player felt the weight of responsibility, the elation of victory, and the admiration of his teammates.
Álex's Updated Status Window After Matchday 3:
[STATUS – Updated After Matchday 3]
Name: Alejandro Adeyemi Castillo
Age: 14
Height: 170 cm
Position: Attacking Midfielder (Left)
Technical Potential: Very High
Tactical Awareness: Stabilized
Physical Development: Accelerating
Mental Resilience: Tempered
Current Standing: Valencia U18 Key Player
[OVERALL RATING]
OVR: 67
[PHYSICAL]
Acceleration: 63
Sprint Speed: 60
Agility: 66
Balance: 60
Jumping: 53
Reaction: 58
Stamina: 62
Strength: 51
[MENTAL & TACTICAL]
Positioning: 61
Vision: 63
Decision Making: 61
Composure: 60
[TECHNICAL]
Ball Control: 68
Crossing: 62
Dribbling: 69
Finishing: 61
Short Pass: 64
Long Pass: 57
[SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES]
Weak Foot Strength: ★★★☆☆(3 stars)
Skill Moves: ★★★★☆(4 stars)
[SKILLS POSSESSED]
• Stepover – Level 3
• Body Feint – Level 2
• Curved Shot – Level 1
• First Touch Control – Level 1
[POTENTIAL]
Projected OVR: 88
Trajectory: World Class Attacking Midfielder