“Thwack!” The flight path toward the goal was blocked by a large palm.
The ball skidded outside the goal, and full-back Frazer Richardson was quick to react, kicking the ball out of the penalty area.
Only then did Theo relax, though his back was drenched in sweat.
It had been far too dangerous just now; if the opponent had breached the goal during stoppage time, they would have been directly eliminated.
At this moment, the commentator on site also let out a long sigh of relief.
“Wow, it’s Theo again, saving the opponent’s follow-up shot!
He has saved Charlton Athletic!” Over on the bench, Coach Phil Parkinson secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
If they had been dealt a fatal blow in the final moments of stoppage time, he would truly have been to blame.
Fortunately, Theo saved the team at the last moment.
Soon, the 3 minutes of stoppage time passed, and the 30-minute extra time was about to begin.
Theo returned to the sidelines near the bench with the team.
Although he wasn’t tired, the high-intensity mental strain at the end meant he needed to relax on the sidelines.
He drank some water and then lay on the ground to rest his eyes.
Others thought he was resting, but in reality, he was checking the status of his skills.
Currently, he only had 1 Block Moment remaining.
However, after this regular-time match, he still had 45 points left.
To ensure success in extra time, he upgraded the Block Moment.
After spending 20 points: [Block Moment (Level 5): Predict opponent’s shot trajectory 2 seconds in advance.
Uses per match: 5 times] He had 3/5 times remaining, and with 25 points left, it should be enough to handle other situations.
Soon, the 5-minute break was over, and the players from both sides entered the field.
Once extra time began, the match became extremely dull.
After 90 minutes of intense competition, everyone’s stamina was exhausted, and only the two goalkeepers were still full of energy.
In the first half of extra time, apart from a few unreliable crosses from the opponent, which Theo easily collected, there was no threat.
It only increased Theo’s points by 3.
They soon entered the second half.
It started as a peaceful exchange of attacks, but at the 110th minute of the second half of extra time, Charlton Athletic’s substitute midfielder Seri Lacom fired a brilliant left-footed curling shot from outside the penalty area.
The shot was extremely dangerous, and in the expectant gaze of the home fans, Swindon Town’s substitute goalkeeper Phil Smith heroically tipped it over the crossbar.
The entire stadium erupted in disappointed sighs.
Theo also felt it was a pity that the ball didn’t go in.
Subsequently, Charlton Athletic won a corner kick.
Gary Borrowdale sent the ball to the center, but it was cleared by the Swindon Town defenders.
In the 112th minute, Swindon Town won a corner kick.
The opponent’s number 10, Timlin, took a long shot from outside the penalty area, which changed direction after hitting a defender.
If not for Theo using his Block Moment in advance, the ball might have already gone in.
116th minute: Charlton Athletic continued their offensive.
Full-back Richardson took a left corner kick, and center-forward Akpo Sodje rushed to head the ball, but unfortunately, it was destroyed by the opposing goalkeeper.
Facing Charlton Athletic’s fierce attack, the entire Swindon Town team retreated to defend, and the opponent’s substitute goalkeeper Smith performed excellently, keeping the goal safe.
The Swindon Town players were also united as one, not allowing the score to change again.
When the final whistle of extra time blew, the entire stadium erupted in intense cheering.
The penalty shootout was about to begin.
Afterward, the players from both sides returned to the sidelines to rest and waited for the coaches to submit the list of penalty takers.
Coach Phil Parkinson communicated with the players on the field who usually had good footwork, while goalkeeper coach Freddie Woodman was also by Theo’s side, reminding him of some precautions for the penalty shootout.
“Hi, Theo, dive boldly, show the courage you had when facing the opponent’s one-on-one chances!
It’s okay if you don’t save it.” Theo drank water while listening to Woodman explain the opponent’s likely penalty taker list.
In his mind, he was confirming how many Block Moment uses he had left.
He had 2/5 times remaining and 28 points left.
He had used it once during stoppage time for safety, so he only had 2 left.
However, he prepared to see how things went; he still had 28 points, which was enough to guarantee 4 or 5 chances to make saves.
Soon, the coach submitted the list of penalty takers.
First were the five penalty takers; if it was a tie, then a one-on-one duel would begin.
Theo was ranked 10th, the very last one.
His footwork was very average.
However, he usually wouldn’t need to step up to take a penalty.
Soon, the captains of both sides chose sides and determined the order of the penalties.
Charlton Athletic took the first penalty.
The first to step up was forward Dion Burton.
Theo waited near the goal line outside the penalty area.
In the expectant gaze of the stadium fans, Burton fired a powerful shot.
The opposing goalkeeper, Phil Smith, guessed the wrong direction, and the ball drilled into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Charlton Athletic 1-0.
The fans in the stands roared in celebration.
At this moment, the fans close to the goal shouted loudly at Theo, “Come on, Theo!
Kill them!” At this moment, regardless of whether they were extreme fans or not, everyone would support Theo.
Theo waved his hand without responding too much.
He came in front of the goal; since the Charlton Athletic player had given them a good start, he couldn’t let his teammates down.
Soon, the opponent’s first penalty taker came up, Jon-Paul McGovern, the opponent’s number 7 midfielder, who was likely their most technically gifted player.
As the referee blew the whistle, McGovern began his run-up, and Theo had already activated the Block Moment.
He moved a small step to the left on the goal line, and before the opponent’s smile could fade, he shifted a large step to the right, leaped, and dived toward the right side of his body.
The commentator’s voice also came over the speakers.
“Swindon Town’s first taker is McGovern, the midfield maestro!” “McGovern runs up, shoots!” “Theo moved, he dived to the bottom left corner!
The ball was saved!” “1-0!
Theo saved the penalty!” The fans cheered even louder.
In the stands, the camera captured a figure in the player family seating area.
At this moment, the commentator took the opportunity to introduce, “Oh, what do we see?
A beautiful girl.
She is in the player family seating area, and she is wearing Theo’s jersey.
She must be Theo’s girlfriend!” After saving the ball, Theo heard the commentator talking about him.
Where would he get a girlfriend?
He looked up and saw, right on the stadium’s big screen, a young woman celebrating with the crowd.
He was stunned for a moment.
Girlfriend?
He then smiled.
The camera happened to capture this.
The live director immediately switched back and forth between the two, and the stadium erupted in laughter.
Immediately after, the next round of penalties began.
Charlton Athletic’s captain, Bailey, carried the ball to the penalty spot.
The whole stadium held its breath.
He lifted his leg.
Shot.
Amidst the sighs of the entire stadium, he had intended to hit the bottom left corner and had already deceived the goalkeeper, but he missed the target.
Bailey clutched his head in agony.
Theo hurried over to comfort him and patted the captain’s shoulder.
“Hi, Bailey!
Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” As Bailey walked toward the center circle with a dejected expression, Theo came to the goal line.
At this moment, Swindon Town’s midfielder Charlie Austin also walked over with the ball.
Theo took a deep breath.
“It seems this skill cannot be saved.”