One Shot, One Kill (1)

La Liga 2's opening match between AD Alcorcon and FC Barcelona Athletic was moments away from kickoff, with broadcast cameras sweeping over the home fans packing the stadium. And at the same time, the Kumon Play broadcast studio was hyping the lineups as they awaited the start.

"...And up top, Cha Tae-oh."

The AD Alcorcon starting lineup was identical to the one from their preseason friendly against Rayo Vallecano—even the bench was exactly the same. The caster then announced FC Barcelona Athletic's starters to the viewers, and Kim Min-seok, the commentator on duty today, zeroed in on one standout player.

"Anyone who's followed La Liga closely, especially those who watched a lot of Barcelona games last season, will know Ángel Vázquez."

"I was a bit surprised to see him in the B-team lineup too."

"Haha, yeah—he was a regular sub for the A-team until he got injured and missed the rest of the season."

Sixteen years old. Despite his youth, Ángel Vázquez had burst onto the scene last season, making his pro debut with the A-team and shocking the world. He was still raw in spots, especially physically, but his flashes of brilliance were enough to captivate fans. Fearless dribbles, solid balance, and sharp finishing. Listed as a left winger, his style leaned more toward wing forward.

"Sadly, he only played about a month before the injury sidelined him for the year... but I don't think he'll be in the B team for long."

"I remember it like yesterday—dribbling past three defenders in a Champions League match and coolly slotting it home."

"It was against Celtic. Crystal clear in my mind too. No idea about his form post-injury, but he's clearly special. If Cha Tae-oh is Alcorcon's key man, then Ángel Vázquez is Barcelona Athletic's."

Even at this early-morning kickoff, viewers were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tuning in thanks to Cha Tae-oh's recent buzz.

And finally.... Preeeep-!

"Kickoff!"

The ref's whistle blew for kickoff.

There's this internet soccer term called RevaMun. It's shorthand made from taking one letter each from Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. Why group these three? Simple—they're the top three all-time in UEFA Champions League rankings, dominating in history, prestige, power, achievements... everything that makes a club elite ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in Europe.

I think RevaMun has been around since before I was born. That's how deep their legacies run. Not just in Korea—Europe, the whole world sees them as the pinnacle. Any kid dreaming of pro soccer has fantasized about playing for one of them. Me too.

Playing for one is like a badge saying you've made it globally. The crest, the iconic kit. Strutting on the pitch in that? You'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠feel invincible, confidence surging. Some might see every opponent as cannon fodder. The other side? They'd wilt just from the logos.

Before the game, my teammates looked exactly like that. Even knowing it was the B team, once we hit the stadium and saw them warming up, chatter died down fast. Maybe not just the Barcelona crest—last year, this B team finished 4th in La Liga 2, a real powerhouse.

But.

"I think Alcorcon wins this."

"Why?"

"They had a great season, sure—4th place, solid performers, some called up to A. But not everyone makes it. That's the B-team curse."

"True."

"A bunch of last season's stars who didn't get promoted went out on loan. Youth kids filling the gaps."

"Still, Barca youth—aren't they good?"

"I dug around, and the new academy joins aren't generating much hype. They'll be fine, but repeating last year's results? Doubt it."

"Hmm..."

"Just my take. I checked some footage, but not everyone's. Youth clips are a pain to find."

A few days back, that chat with Tiago, the 'La Liga expert,' had me unfazed. He even tipped me off on Barcelona Athletic's defenders from my perspective—coaches mentioned them, but his raw take hit different. Not gospel, since he's no pro analyst. But no rookie either—he's been using scout software with full match libraries forever. If soccer doesn't pan out, he's prepping for scouting or coaching. Felt like he was testing it through me.

Time to see if his intel pays off.

I hung back at the start, easing into it like against Rayo Vallecano, eyes scanning their play. True to their Total Football and tiki-taka roots—even the B team flowed with organic passing. Eerily similar to Jordi Calavera's style, so our game plans mirrored each other.

Teammates still tense, but build-up from the back was smoother—no major hitches. Not silky smooth, but better than the shaky start vs. Rayo.

Defense, though? Issues showed early.

Thud thud-!

"...!"

Their left winger, Ángel Vázquez, came out snarling, first touch exploding into a fierce dribble. Short, not the strongest physically, but low center of gravity kept the ball glued, whipping past defenders with quick bursts.

Wham-!

And solid shooting too. Aim off, first shot wide—but heavy artillery from this kid. No wonder our defenders grimaced at his name in the lineup. With A-team minutes already, he owned this level.

But... that was it. Outside Vázquez, no one popped. Their passing and movement outclassed us in familiarity, but it felt forced—like puzzle pieces jammed wrong.

I sensed it in the first five minutes. Not just me.

"Stay calm. See their mistakes piling up? We take control, push up—they'll hesitate. Confidence, boys—confidence!"

Captain Rubén Soriano bellowed as their corner fizzled, firing up the squad. Foes overheard—some scowled.

Pop- pop-!

By the 10th minute, we held possession longer, ball funneling through midfield to me. Their loose forward press? Useless. Sensing the shift, Barcelona Athletic's line dropped.

"Dammit! Win it back and get it to me! I'll handle it!"

Ángel Vázquez's yell carried. He alone seemed detached—personal glory over team win, obvious even from afar. Bizarre.

Conviction hit hard. Like Tiago said—no defeat vibe. They weren't united; we were. One goal, and we'd own the mood.

Time to seal it.

Thud-!

First touch shook the marking defender. No need to carry from deep like vs. Rayo—already penalty arc range. Post-press relief, I faced their two center-backs, goal in sight.

Dribble? Nah, better option spotted.

Bam-!

Ball to the right flank. Miguel Amaro cut in to receive. I didn't stop—exploiting their ball fixation, I ghosted between the CBs.

Miguel grabbed it, no hesitation—low cutback whipped across the box.

It curled perfectly ahead of my run. Cool as ice, I just redirected it goalward.

Crack-!

Power packed, it ripped low, skimming turf like a bullet. Keeper lunged, stretching his right leg...

Splash-!

"...!"

Too late.