THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-627

The Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was an incredible sight that evening as the World Cup Group B opening match between Ivory and Iran was about to kick off. The brand-new stadium, known for its impressive architecture and outstanding facilities, was fully packed and brimming with an electrifying atmosphere that was hard to ignore.

Fans from all over the world had converged at the stadium, eagerly anticipating the start of the game. The stands were packed with people sporting Ivory Coast's orange colors and Iran's traditional white. The energy and enthusiasm among the crowd were palpable as they eagerly waited for the game to begin.

As the clock approached 5:00 PM, the excitement and anticipation reached a fever pitch as the players emerged from the tunnel and walked onto the field. The stadium erupted with cheers as the teams took their positions and lined up before the tunnel for the pregame ceremonies.

The sheer magnitude of the event was apparent in the sea of colors and flags waving high in the air. The stadium was filled with the sounds of drums, vuvuzelas, and cheers as fans from both sides got ready to sing their national anthems with pride. It was a momentous occasion that brought people together from around the globe to witness the magic of the beautiful game. The passion and devotion of the fans were evident, and it was clear that this was more than just a sport – it was a way of life for many of those in attendance.

Zachary felt emotional as he stood on the field, taking in the sights and sounds around the colossal stadium. The cheers and chants of the passionate fans were deafening, and the palpable energy of the stadium was enough to send shivers down his spine. As the pregame rituals began, he felt his heart rate increase in anticipation of the match ahead.

Dressed in the iconic orange number ten jersey of Ivory Coast, Zachary exuded boundless confidence. His Nike Mercurial Roc boots perfectly matched his outfit, and their sleek design made him feel light on his feet. As the Ivorian national anthem began to play, Zachary closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He felt a sense of pride and responsibility wash over him as he thought about the weight of that particular moment. He understood that all eyes were on him during his debut World Cup match for Ivory Coast, but he didn't let the pressure get to him. He was well-prepared for the challenge and was confident in his abilities to perform at his best.

Although he knew it would be a difficult match against Iran, he had confidence in his and his teammates' abilities. They were determined to put their hearts and souls into the game and leave no stone unturned to ensure victory.

With the reverberating sound of the national anthems still echoing in the stadium, the players from both teams performed the customary pre-match handshake before sprinting onto the pitch. As the excitement built up, the referees called over the captains for the all-important coin toss to decide who would have the first kick. It was a thrilling moment, and both teams were eagerly anticipating the start of what promised to be an epic game. In the end, Iran won the coin toss, implying they would kick-start the game.

Having completed the pre-match procedures, Gervinho, the captain of the Ivorian team, swiftly made his way back from the center of the pitch and signaled for a team huddle. The Ivorian players, including Zachary, gathered around him and took a knee. They said a short prayer and exchanged words of encouragement, gearing up for the game ahead. With renewed energy, they took their positions on the field of play, ready to give it their all and emerge victorious.

As Zachary settled into his attacking midfield position just outside the center circle, he scanned the Iranian players on the opposite side of the pitch. He couldn't recognize any of them from his current or past life, suggesting they may have been players from lower-level leagues without much exposure in Europe's top teams. But he didn't dare underestimate this unfamiliar group of footballers as they were playing with the pride of their national team on the line.

Suddenly, the referee looked at his watch and blew the whistle, signaling the start of the match. Sardar Azmoun, the Iranian center forward, wasted no time and swiftly kicked the ball back into his own half, igniting the crowd's cheers and setting the tone for the game ahead.

The Iranian team looked comfortable as they quickly settled into their 4-1-4-1 starting formation. Omid Ebrahimi, the defensive midfielder, seized the ball and wasted no time before unleashing a fierce pass towards the left wing. The ball landed perfectly at the feet of Karim Ansarifard, the Iranian left-winger, who was already waiting eagerly to make a move.

Karim was like a bolt of lightning as he deftly collected the ball close to the touchline on the left and began a daring run towards Ivory Coast's half. With incredible speed, he exchanged a one-two with the Iranian captain, Masoud Shojaei, and beat Wilfried Zaha as he charged towards the Ivory Coast's half through the left flank. It seemed like nothing could stop Karim's run until Serge Aurier, the Ivorian right-back, swooped in with a perfectly timed sliding tackle to steal the ball away. This led to a swift turnover as Serey Dié, the Ivorian defensive midfielder, quickly seized the opportunity and snatched the loose ball before passing it on to Franck Kessié, his counterpart in midfield.

Franck Kessié was a force to be reckoned with as he zoomed past the Iranian midfielders, leaving them in his wake. With lightning-fast speed, he played the ball to Zachary, who wasted no time before playing a swift one-two with Nicolas Pépé. It was like watching a well-oiled machine in action as the three players moved in perfect harmony, cutting through Iran's defense like a knife through butter. The crowd was on their feet, roaring with excitement as they watched the exhilarating display of skill and teamwork.

As the three Ivorians approached Iran's box, the tension grew palpable. Zachary received the ball, but an Iranian defender was hot on his heels. With lightning-fast reflexes, he stepped over the ball and executed a sudden change of pace that left the defender in the dust. The crowd erupted in applause as Zachary charged forward, inching closer and closer to the goal. It was a match-determining moment early in the game, and Zachary tried his best to make it count. As he saw an opening for a shot, he steadied himself and unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box. His foot connected with the ball with incredible force, sending it past one of the center-backs and hurtling towards the goal. The crowd held its breath, waiting for the moment of impact. It was a spectacular shot, and Zachary could feel the excitement building in his chest. But just when the ball seemed destined for the back of the net, Alireza Beiranvand, the Iranian keeper, sprang into action. He dove with incredible speed and agility, stretching his body to the limit. His fingertips grazed the ball, sending it out of play in a breathtaking display of athleticism to save his team from conceding the 1st goal during the 3rd minute.

What a save!

The stadium buzzed with anticipation as the referee blew the whistle and pointed toward the corner spot. The Ivorian team had prepared for such a moment during their week-long training, and they wasted no time following their coach's pre-match instructions. With a quick glance towards his teammates, Serge Aurier, the Ivorian right back, stepped up to take the corner kick. The crowd held their breath as he sent a perfectly lofted ball toward the crowded box, hoping to add more pressure to the opponents. It was a tense moment, but the Ivorians were laser-focused on the ball, determined to come out on top. A heated battle ensued inside the box as players from both teams jostled for better positioning, jumping high in the air to reach the incoming corner ball. All tall Ivorian players like Eric Baily, Nicolas Pépé, and Gervinho rose to the challenge, displaying exceptional athleticism and skill. However, Zachary, the young and talented forward of Ivory Coast, was the player who finally emerged victorious. Zachary's skills were on full display as he expertly outwitted his marker, creating space in the crowded box with a clever feint. With the ball flying towards him, he leaped high into the air and timed his header to perfection from an acute angle, sending the ball towards the inside of the far post. The stadium erupted into another frenzy as the ball sailed past the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper and nestled into the back of the net.

Zachary's goal was a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work. The intensity and thrill of the game were set from the outset, as the goal came just four minutes into the game. Rushing towards the corner flag, Zachary slid on his knees for a few meters, basking in the glory of his awe-inspiring moment.