The Espanyol players tried to come out and attack immediately after the goal, but were thwarted by the Barca defence. Jordi was aggressive in his press and interceptions. Behind him, Eric Garcia and Alejandro Isaac were always in the right position to defend the long balls. All Espanyol had been able to do thus far was successfully recycle the ball from one wing to the other.
Soon after, the game returned to the previous equilibrium, with Barca steadily progressing the ball and threatening for the second goal. Jordi was drifting through the pitch, always available to receive a pass or create more space behind him. He was the silent leader of his team, guiding the play with his movement alone.
In the 18th minute, he drifted wide to the right when Eric had the ball. Noticing the two Espanyol midfielders following Jordi, Eric sped up through the middle, carrying the ball deep into the opposition half. As a defender came up to him, he passed to Balde on the left wing. Balde, with his first touch, crossed the ball to the far post. Diego, the second striker, had made the intelligent run and was in time to head the ball into the goal.
2-0!
Jordi sprinted in and hugged everyone and anyone who fit in his wingspan. He was ecstatic, more so than with the first goal. Jordi always found great joy in imagining and facilitating an entire play. He drifted wide with the intent to open up space for Eric, who followed the script and ran forward. Then came Balde, who served a perfect cross to Diego. The entire move was identical to the images that came to Jordi. In these moments, Jordi was the author of an elaborate play, the narrator of a beautiful tale.
…
As the clock read 24:00, the game had fallen into a quiet rhythm. The Barca youngsters were keeping the ball, circulating it amongst them, waiting for the half-time whistle to sound. The Espanyol youngsters were walking along, tired and looking forward to half-time.
Coach Pau Moral was very satisfied. His team understood patience and was taking no risks. Already 2-0, it was important to coach the boys in playing according to the game state. His captain, that outrageous boy, was still dictating everything.
Jordi to Eric, Eric to Isaac, Isaac to Ilya on the wing, Ilya to Jordi, Jordi to Eric— No, Coach Pau was jolted out of his reverie, as Jordi sent a curling ball over the static Espanyol defence. Diego was not expecting the ball either, but was the first to react. He met the perfectly-weighted ball with his chest at the edge of the box. The ball bounced once before Diego chipped it over the goalkeeper and into the goal. Diego ran directly towards Jordi to celebrate. Coach Pau's feet were stuck in place. Was he even worthy of coaching this boy?
3-0!
…
Johan Cruyff was disappointed to see Jordi subbed off at halftime. Of course, he understood that the boy was just 8 years old and his body was not ready to play a 50-minute match. Despite this, he wore his sunglasses and got up to leave. The Espanyol management was surprised, but did not investigate too much.
As Johan's car left the sporting complex, he spoke to his son, Jordi Cruyff, "Message Alexanko. Tell him that I watched the boy he had suggested. And… and he has seriously underestimated the boy. This is a talent to build a whole team around. Treasure him, accommodate him, and never disappoint him."
Johan thought back to last year when the new Barca president, Sandro Rossell, removed him as the honorary president. He sighed before continuing, "If he wishes to meet me, then Alexanko can bring the boy to my place."