The stadium was silent.
Thousands of fans packed into Valley Parade, yet in this moment, it felt like the world had stopped.
One hundred and twenty minutes of battle. Four goals apiece. Exhaustion etched into every player's face.
It all came down to this.
Jake stood at the edge of his technical area, arms crossed, watching as his players gathered near the center circle.
A penalty shootout.
The final test.
The referee gave one last signal to both captains, then walked toward the goal.
The shootout was about to begin.
First Round – Both Teams Start Strong
The tension inside Valley Parade was suffocating.
After 120 minutes of relentless football, it had come down to this.
A penalty shootout to decide the finalist.
Bradford's fans held their breath as the first taker stepped forward.
Newcastle's First Taker – Alexander Isak
Isak walked up slowly, composed, unreadable.
The Swedish striker had carried Newcastle all season. He was their star. And he knew it.
