Suspense and pride coexist, and an unexpected victory, like a bombshell, exploded the Europa League stadium that should have been quiet. When Brighton's home match against four-time Champions League champions Ajax kicked off in the early morning of October 27, Beijing time, few could have predicted how this exciting competition would end.
Perhaps it was the brutal competition in Group B of the Europa League that made this game full of uncertainty. The Group of Death is not for nothing, with Champions League powerhouses Ajax and Marseille as well as European upstarts Brighton & Hove Albion and AEK Athens.
However, it was this seemingly impossible situation that created this unexpected and exciting battle.
In this high-profile match, Brighton's performance was impressive. Although the first two rounds were not satisfactory, they did not give up. In the first half, Japan's Mikasa threatened a number of dangerous shots, and Pedro's goal ignited the game to give Brighton a 1-0 lead.
However, Ajax are not such an easy opponent to beat. In the second half, Ansu Fati's goal extended Brighton's advantage again, while Ajax tried hard but missed an equaliser on the middle post and a couple of missed shots.
This game is not only a showdown between two teams, but also a contest of strength and will. The Brighton players gave their all, giving the fans their first ever European victory. The cheers and shouts of the 30,000 fans at the scene witnessed this historic moment and the tenacious fighting spirit of the team in the face of difficulties.
And in the other match in the same group, Marseille vs AEK Athens was similarly full of fierce competition. Goals from Klos and Vitinha, an equaliser from Pineda and penalties from Armin Ali and Veretou helped Marseille secure a 3-1 win at the top of the table.
The current standings once again highlight how competitive Group B of the Europa League is. Marseille topped the table with five points, Brighton followed with four, AEK Athens slipped to third, while Ajax finished bottom of the table with just two points after three consecutive rounds.
Every shot of the game was full of sparks, especially Mikasa's brilliant performance in the game, with his breakaways, powerful shots and clever passes all showing his importance as a key player in the team. The overall performance of the Brighton team was even more eye-catching, and their unity and cooperation showed the charm of team spirit in football.
However, the result also begs the question: will the fierce competition in Group B of the Europa League put these teams under more pressure in future competitions? Will they be able to maintain a consistent performance in such a fierce competition? Perhaps a win in this game is just a good start for Brighton, but for Ajax it means that an even tougher challenge awaits them in the future.
Overall, this game is not only a contest between teams, but also a collision of spirit and strength. Whether it was Brighton's first win or Marseille's solid lead, it showed the strength of team spirit and tenacious struggle, and also laid the suspense for the future games.