Real Betis were up against Athletic Club, and from the moment the players walked onto the pitch, there was one matchup that had everyone's attention. Devin looked across at Nico Williams, who was having the best season of his career with sixteen goals in La Liga. Nico had been one of the most dangerous players in the league all season, and he clearly wasn't intimidated by Devin. As the players waited for kickoff, Nico walked over to him and stopped a few steps away.
"You're going down," Nico said in Spanish.
Devin looked at him for a moment before giving him a small smile. "We'll see."
Nico walked away without saying anything else. Devin watched him return to his position before turning toward his own teammates. The referee checked his watch and blew the whistle.
02'
Real Betis started the match with their usual calm possession football. They moved the ball around the pitch patiently, forcing Athletic Club to chase them instead of allowing them to settle into the game. Devin was playing as the lead attacker, but he wasn't staying in one position. He kept moving between the defenders, sometimes dropping deep to receive the ball and then quickly moving forward again.
Eventually, Devin moved toward the middle of the pitch and raised his hand.
"Isco!"
Isco noticed him and immediately played the ball toward him. Devin received it with his back to the goal and was still a long way outside the box. An Athletic Club defender was already moving toward him, expecting Devin to turn and try to dribble forward.
Instead, Devin did something completely unexpected.
He flicked the ball very high over his head and backwards.
The goalkeeper noticed the movement and took a few steps forward, thinking the ball was going to be a cross. But as the ball reached its highest point, it began to drop toward the goal. The goalkeeper quickly realized what was happening and rushed back toward his line.
He was too late.
The ball dropped over him and landed in the net.
For a second, the stadium was almost silent as everyone processed what had just happened. Then the Real Betis supporters erupted.
Devin turned around and looked toward the goal with a surprised smile of his own. Even he hadn't expected the flick to work that perfectly.
Isco ran toward him. "What was that?"
Devin laughed. "I don't know. It just felt right."
Isco shook his head. "You can't keep doing things like that."
Devin looked toward Nico, who was standing near the halfway line.
"Apparently I can."
Nico had seen the goal clearly. He didn't react much, but his expression had changed. The confidence was still there, but now he knew he was going to have to take Devin seriously.
Real Betis had taken the lead after only two minutes.
1–0.
Athletic Club restarted the game and immediately tried to slow things down. Nico dropped deeper to get involved, receiving the ball and trying to create chances for his teammates. Real Betis were prepared for it, though, and Devin kept an eye on him whenever he moved forward.
The game continued at a high pace, with both teams fighting for control of the midfield.
14'
Nico finally received the ball in a dangerous position on the left side. Junior Firpo moved across to defend him.
Nico slowed down for a moment.
Firpo waited.
Nico suddenly shifted the ball between his feet and performed a La Croqueta, trying to move past Firpo before he could react. For a moment, it looked like Nico had beaten him, but Firpo managed to stretch out a leg and get a touch on the ball.
The ball went out for a throw-in.
Nico looked back at Firpo.
"Good defending."
Firpo simply nodded.
Nico turned toward the ball as one of his teammates prepared to take the throw.
Devin had already started moving toward him.
15'
The throw-in reached Nico, and Devin immediately closed him down. Nico took his first touch and tried to nutmeg him, hoping Devin would open his stance.
But Devin was ready.
He slammed his legs shut and stopped the ball before Nico could get through.
Devin took control.
Nico turned around quickly and tried to chase him, but Devin was already looking forward.
Cucho Hernández and Jamie Rodríguez had both started moving, dragging Athletic Club's defenders toward them. That gave Devin a small gap in front of him.
He carried the ball forward.
A defender moved toward him.
Devin looked toward Jamie as though he was about to make a pass.
The defender reacted and shifted his body to block the passing lane.
Devin cancelled the pass.
He pushed the ball forward and accelerated.
The defender tried to recover, but Devin had already created too much space. The goalkeeper came rushing out of his goal, trying to make himself as big as possible.
Devin slowed down slightly.
The goalkeeper expected him to shoot.
Devin waited until the keeper committed himself.
Then he pushed the ball between his legs.
The goalkeeper turned around immediately, but Devin had already moved past him.
The ball was still rolling toward the goal.
Devin caught up to it and calmly tapped it into the empty net.
2–0.
The supporters erupted again.
Devin turned toward the corner, but his eyes immediately found Nico.
Nico stood still for a moment.
Devin didn't say anything. He simply looked at him.
Nico understood.
The message was clear.
You said I was going down.
Nico looked away and walked back toward the center.
His teammates tried to encourage him.
"Forget it. We still have plenty of time."
Nico nodded.
"Keep playing."
The match restarted.
Athletic Club were now playing with more urgency. They knew they couldn't allow Real Betis to continue controlling the game so easily. Nico started receiving the ball more often, trying to create something from the left side.
Devin was also becoming more involved.
Every time he received the ball, two players seemed to move toward him.
That created space for his teammates, but Devin wasn't satisfied with simply creating chances.
He wanted more.
25'
Nico received the ball near the wing again. He looked toward the box and saw several players making runs.
Without hesitating, he launched a cross into the area.
At first, Devin thought it was going to be a normal cross.
Then he noticed the movement.
The ball was wobbling.
It wasn't following a predictable path.
It moved slightly to one side, then back again. It seemed to drop and rise at different moments.
Devin's eyes widened.
"A knuckleball..."
He had seen something similar before, but this was different. Nico had clearly developed a way of using the technique on crosses.
Devin immediately realized how dangerous it could be.
If the ball reached one of the Athletic Club attackers, the goalkeeper could easily be caught off guard.
Devin started sprinting.
He pushed himself as hard as he could.
His legs became heavy, and his breathing became more difficult, but he didn't slow down.
He could see where the ball was heading.
He just needed to get there first.
The cross dipped unexpectedly.
Devin stretched his leg out and managed to make contact with it.
He cleared the ball away from the box.
The Athletic Club players turned and began chasing after it.
Devin didn't stop.
Something felt different.
The moment he cleared the ball, his body seemed to settle into a rhythm. His breathing became calmer, despite the fact that he had just used a huge amount of energy.
The noise around him started fading.
He could still hear the crowd, but it felt distant.
His eyes focused on the ball.
His movements became more natural.
Devin had entered the Flow State.
He began sprinting after the clearance.
One of the Athletic Club defenders saw him running and started toward the ball as well.
The defender thought he had the advantage.
He was already closer.
But Devin kept accelerating.
The defender looked over his shoulder.
Devin was getting closer.
The defender increased his pace.
Devin did the same.
For a moment, it looked as though both players were running at their maximum speed.
Then Devin pushed himself even further.
He caught the ball.
The defender was left behind.
Devin looked up and saw the goalkeeper waiting near the edge of the box.
He was still far away.
Most players would have continued forward.
Devin decided to shoot.
He positioned himself and struck the ball with his Power-Finesse technique.
The shot started moving toward the far side of the goal before curling sharply toward the top corner.
The goalkeeper jumped and stretched out his hand.
He couldn't reach it.
The ball went into the top corner.
3–0.
Devin had completed his hat-trick.
His teammates ran toward him.
Cucho was the first to reach him and grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Three already?"
Devin laughed.
"Apparently."
Jamie came over next.
"That shot was ridiculous."
Devin looked back toward the goal.
"I just saw the opening."
Isco walked toward them with a smile.
"You're going to make everyone expect this every game."
Devin shook his head.
"Then I better keep improving."
Across the pitch, Nico stood with his hands on his hips.
He wasn't celebrating.
He wasn't angry either.
He was thinking.
He had spent the season proving that he could be one of the best players in the league, but Devin had just scored three goals before half an hour had even passed.
Nico looked toward him.
Devin looked back.
Neither player said anything.
The rivalry had become more serious.
Athletic Club tried to respond immediately, but Real Betis were now full of confidence. Their passing became quicker, and Athletic Club struggled to keep up.
The rest of the first half became a battle for control.
Nico continued trying to create chances, while Devin kept dropping into space and forcing the defenders to make difficult decisions.
Whenever Nico received the ball, someone was close to him.
Whenever Devin received the ball, two defenders usually followed.
That left space for the other players.
Athletic Club were struggling to deal with it.
45+1'
Athletic Club had one final opportunity before halftime.
Nico received the ball and found Amrabat in front of him.
Nico performed a roulette, spinning around Amrabat and moving past him.
It was a clean move, but Isco had read the situation.
He stepped forward and made the tackle.
The ball bounced away from Nico and rolled toward Devin.
An Athletic Club defender immediately moved toward him.
Devin took one touch.
The defender prepared himself for the challenge.
Instead of trying to dribble around him, Devin used the side of his foot to lift the ball over the defender's head.
The defender turned around, but Devin was already running past him.
Devin looked up.
Jamie Rodríguez was making a run toward the box.
Devin took another touch before sending a low trivela cross across the area.
The ball moved perfectly toward Jamie.
Jamie met it and finished easily.
4–0.
The referee blew for halftime shortly afterward.
Real Betis walked toward the dressing room with a comfortable lead, while Athletic Club had plenty to think about.
In the dressing room, the atmosphere was relaxed.
The players were happy with the score, but their manager reminded them not to lose focus.
"We're winning 4–0, but don't start playing like the game is already over," he said. "Keep the ball. Keep defending. If they give us space, use it."
Devin sat quietly for a moment.
He was thinking about the Flow State he had entered earlier.
He had felt it before, but this time it seemed different.
He could still remember how everything around him seemed to slow down.
He wanted to understand it.
If he could control it instead of simply falling into it, he knew it could become one of the most important parts of his game.
Isco noticed him thinking.
"You alright?"
Devin nodded.
"Yeah. Just thinking about that moment earlier."
"The Flow?"
Devin looked at him.
"You noticed?"
"Everyone noticed. You suddenly looked like you were playing a different game."
Devin smiled slightly.
"I want to understand it."
"You will."
The second half began.
Athletic Club came out with more intensity. They were already four goals behind, but they didn't want the score to become even worse.
Nico was one of the first players to start pushing forward.
He received the ball several times and tried to create opportunities, but Real Betis defended well.
Devin was also helping defensively when needed.
The game became more physical as Athletic Club tried to win the ball back.
The minutes continued to pass.
Real Betis remained in control.
72'
Devin received the ball near the side of the pitch.
There was no need for him to rush.
Real Betis were already winning comfortably, so Devin slowed down and began performing flip-flaps with the ball.
The Athletic Club defenders became frustrated.
They needed the ball, but Devin wasn't giving them an easy opportunity to take it.
Their right-back eventually moved toward him.
Devin continued moving the ball between his feet.
The defender waited for the right moment.
Then he stepped forward.
Devin reacted instantly.
He pushed the ball through the defender's legs.
Nutmeg.
The crowd reacted immediately.
The defender turned around and tried to chase him.
Devin continued forward before using Ronaldinho's Magnet to keep the ball close to his feet and escape the pressure.
Instead of continuing to dribble, he dropped the ball to Isco.
Isco took control.
He looked into the box and saw Junior Firpo making his run.
Isco lifted the ball into the area with a perfectly timed curling cross.
The ball traveled over the defenders.
Firpo had already positioned himself behind them.
He threw himself forward and met the cross with a diving header.
The ball went into the net.
5–0.
Firpo got back to his feet and immediately ran toward Isco.
Devin joined them.
Real Betis were five goals ahead.
Athletic Club had nothing left.
The remaining minutes passed without any major threat.
Nico continued fighting until the end, but even he couldn't change the result.
When the final whistle came, Real Betis had won 5–0.
Devin had scored a hat-trick.
Jamie Rodríguez had scored once.
Junior Firpo had scored once.
The Real Betis supporters celebrated from the stands while the players congratulated each other.
Devin looked across the pitch.
Nico was standing near the Athletic Club players.
Their eyes met one final time.
Nico walked over.
Devin waited.
Nico stopped in front of him.
"Good game."
Devin nodded.
"Good game."
Nico looked toward the scoreboard.
"Three goals."
Devin smiled.
"You said I was going down."
Nico laughed quietly.
"I was wrong."
He held out his hand.
Devin shook it.
"But next time," Nico said, "it won't be this easy."
Devin smiled.
"I wouldn't want it to be."
Nico walked away.
Devin watched him leave.
There was no hatred between them.
It was something different.
Respect.
They both knew they would probably face each other again.
And next time, Nico would be ready.
After the match, Devin returned home in the small Audi A4 he had gotten for himself. He had been thinking about the match the entire drive home, especially the moment when he entered the Flow State. The hat-trick felt good, but he knew he still had a lot to improve.
Instead of going straight home, Devin decided to visit Max Downman.
Max was still injured and had been recovering for some time. Devin hadn't forgotten about him, especially after everything they had been through together.
When Devin arrived, he got out of the car and walked toward the house.
A few moments later, Max came outside on crutches.
Devin looked at him.
"Bro. How's the leg?"
Max smiled.
"You just had to score a hat-trick."
Devin laughed.
"What?"
"Every time you play, you find some new way to make the rest of us look bad."
"I'm just doing my job."
Max shook his head.
"Three goals against Athletic Club isn't just doing your job."
Devin leaned against the car.
"It was a good game."
"A good game?" Max laughed. "You scored in the second minute."
Devin smiled.
"That one was lucky."
"That first goal was lucky. The second one wasn't."
"Fair."
"And the third?"
Devin thought about it.
"The third one felt different."
Max noticed the change in Devin's expression.
"What do you mean?"
Devin looked down for a moment.
"I entered the Flow State again."
Max's expression became more serious.
"Again?"
"Yeah."
"How long?"
"I don't know. A few minutes, maybe."
"And you could feel everything?"
Devin nodded.
"Everything seemed slower. I wasn't thinking about what I was doing. I was just doing it."
Max thought for a moment.
"Then maybe that's what you need to work on."
Devin looked at him.
"Control it?"
"Exactly. If you can enter that state whenever you need it, imagine what you could do."
Devin smiled.
"That's what I'm thinking."
Max adjusted his crutch and sat down.
"But don't get too comfortable."
"Why?"
"Because once everyone sees what you're capable of, they're going to start preparing for you."
Devin didn't answer immediately.
He knew Max was right.
The more he improved, the more attention he would receive.
The more goals he scored, the more defenders would study him.
And the more techniques he developed, the more opponents would try to find ways to stop him.
Devin looked back at his Audi.
"Then I'll just have to develop something they haven't seen."
Max laughed.
"That's exactly what I expected you to say."
Devin smiled.
The victory over Athletic Club had been one of his best performances yet, but he knew it wasn't the end.
The hat-trick had given him confidence.
The Flow State had given him something even more important.
A glimpse of what he could become.
And somewhere in the league, other players were already beginning to take notice.
Devin didn't know it yet, but his performance against Athletic Club had changed the way people were looking at him.
He was no longer just a talented young attacker.
He was becoming a player that teams had to prepare for.
And the next challenge would be even harder.