The breakthrough came in the 73rd minute, following a sequence of play that perfectly demonstrated the value of patience and persistence in football.
Mateo had been probing Lleida's defensive structure for the entire match, testing different areas and looking for signs of weakness or fatigue. When he finally found the opening he had been seeking, his response was immediate and decisive.
But it was in the final against Real Madrid's academy that his leadership was most severely tested. The match was played at the Mini Estadi, with scouts from across Europe in attendance to witness what many considered the future of Spanish football. '
The venue itself added to the pressure, as the Mini Estadi was closely associated with Barcelona's first team and represented the pinnacle of achievement for academy players.
