Chapter 51 — Third U-15 Match: Mastery in Motion
Date: April 7, 2020
Árman Azvedo — Age: 10
---
The sun rose over São Paulo's sprawling U-15 training complex, glinting off the freshly cut grass. Today marked Árman Azvedo's third official match of the season, this time against the formidable Corinthians U-15 squad. After his stellar performances against Flamengo and Palmeiras, whispers of the 10-year-old prodigy had spread across São Paulo. Coaches, parents, and fans had begun calling him a "once-in-a-generation talent," though Árman remained humble, quietly preparing himself for another day on the pitch.
He entered the stadium with his father, Leonardo Azvedo, who gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Bom dia, Árman," Leonardo said.
"Good morning, Dada," Árman replied softly, his golden eyes scanning the field. Every blade of grass, every cone, every mark was noted with precision.
The Corinthians U-15 squad was already warming up, muscular and determined. Rumors of the young prodigy had reached their locker room, and while some players dismissed his age, others were wary.
Coach Carvalho blew the whistle. "Team, focus. Don't underestimate him, but play your game. Corinthians is strong, but we've prepared well."
Árman adjusted his position on the pitch. The ball rolled toward him as if magnetized. His first touch was seamless, his dribble smooth and controlled. Older players struggled to keep up with his speed and balance, while Árman moved almost effortlessly.
"Stop… what?" muttered the assistant coach. "He's performing like someone with ten years more experience."
---
First Half — Opening Moments
Kickoff. Corinthians controlled possession initially. Their central midfielder pressed Árman immediately.
Árman shifted his weight slightly, anticipating the defender's approach. A subtle feint and the ball rolled past the first defender. The second defender lunged, but Árman's eyes had already calculated the next move. A quick one-two pass with Lucas Ferreira, a teammate on the left wing, and Árman slotted into the box, receiving the return pass with perfect timing.
With a precise touch, he curved the ball into the net.
Goal! Árman Azvedo!
The stadium erupted. Even Corinthians' bench went silent, stunned by the composure and technical prowess of a child younger than their players.
Within ten minutes, Corinthians attempted a counter. Árman anticipated the long ball at midfield, intercepted it cleanly, and played a through ball to right-winger Thiago Lopes. The cross met Árman cutting inside; he controlled the ball and struck with precision.
Second goal! Árman Azvedo, age ten!
Fans rose to their feet, cameras flashed, and coaches scribbled notes furiously.
---
Mid-Game Tactical Brilliance
Árman's understanding of space and movement was extraordinary:
He predicted opposing defenders' actions before commitment
Controlled attack tempo with short, precise touches
Alternated between direct and indirect plays to exploit gaps
Used subtle feints to manipulate defensive positioning
Even Corinthians' strongest midfielder struggled to contain him. Every pass, every run, every touch displayed a maturity beyond his years.
By the 30th minute, Árman had completed 14 successful dribbles, 7 key passes, and created 3 scoring chances, already outshining players four or five years older than him.
Coach Carvalho muttered, "If he develops physically over the next few years, he could rival any professional in the world."
---
First Half — Closing Moments
Corinthians pushed forward aggressively, attempting to regain control. Árman dropped back slightly, intercepting a cross with perfect timing. He immediately played a diagonal ball to Lucas Ferreira, who advanced down the flank. Árman's movement into the box distracted two defenders, opening space for a potential shot that ended with a precise chip over the goalkeeper.
Goal! Third for Árman!
The crowd exploded, chanting his name. Even the opposing fans couldn't help but acknowledge the brilliance.
---
Second Half — Strategic Dominance
After the break, Corinthians adjusted their formation, adding a defensive midfielder to contain Árman. But his tactical intelligence allowed him to exploit even the slightest gaps.
At the 55th minute, he executed a one-touch combination with Thiago Lopes, bypassing three defenders, and delivered a perfect low cross for Lucas Ferreira to finish.
At the 62nd minute, Árman intercepted a pass near the center circle, dribbled past two defenders, and launched a long-range shot that rattled the crossbar.
Every move was precise, calculated, and executed with calm humility. His teammates followed his lead, feeding off his vision and composure.
By the final whistle, Árman had scored four goals and assisted two more, leaving Corinthians stunned. Coach Carvalho's notebook overflowed with notes, while scouts in the stands whispered about his potential.
---
Post-Match Analysis
Árman's match stats for just this game:
Goals: 4
Assists: 2
Key passes: 11
Dribbles completed: 22
Pass accuracy: 96% under pressure
Tactical awareness: beyond U-17 level
Despite his dominance, Árman remained humble, walking off the field with a quiet smile.
"Good job, son," Leonardo said. "But remember, humility is your greatest strength."
Árman nodded, already thinking about the next match, the next opportunity to improve, the next chance to learn.