Just before Joselu Mato returned after his 84th-minute exit and scored the miracle of the much-needed goal, he awaited the arrival of Álvaro Morata on the wing. They withdrew him without price after a night of fighting, but when he met his old friend who replaced him, he gave him a loving and trusting hug and the still Espanyol forward ran for another opportunity he didn’t even envision had presented a few months ago, still echoing Luis de la Fuente’s last advice: “If you have doubts, score a goal,” said the coach.
Joselu had not hesitated when he scored three minutes later and took Spain to the Nations League final against Croatia this Sunday (20.45, La1). Perhaps he was the only one in the stadium who was sure that the goal was worth it, as he fondly recalled this Friday: “In the rejection I see that a player from Italy is left behind.” I knew that I wasn’t in the Standing aside when Rodri fired. I was super convinced.” The City midfielder didn’t see it that way and was only slowly carried away by the celebration: “I had my doubts, I was very lonely,” he said after the game.
The Spanish side tunes Joselu into an almost supernatural frequency, particularly in the border minutes of games when she’s eager and desperate for the goal: an epiphany. On his debut against Norway in Malaga on March 25, the almost 33-year-old also made 81 appearances for Morata, with a 1-0 lead and uncertain prospects. He scored 84 and 85 points. On Thursday against Italy, he scored 84 points and scored 87 points. Three shots, three goals. He started against Scotland, played 66 minutes and shot twice, once over the crossbar.
“It’s not easy when you’re so involved in the game in the last few minutes, but I knew a lot had happened in the dynamic that we’re creating and it can happen that I drop a goal there,” he recalled this Friday with a reflection on his mental preparation. Joselu didn’t only have to make this effort with his head when he was on the brink of righting a wrong. All this, the late arrival in the national team, the instantaneous achievement that came his way while enduring a season with Espanyol trying to avoid shipwreck.
In March there was still a remedy for the situation, but when he came to Las Rozas for the second round, the relegation to second place was already confirmed: “It was a very difficult year, with a project that seemed very interesting from the start. Ultimately, as a club, we didn’t manage to achieve the goals,” he said on Friday. “I tried to change the chip as soon as possible” to adjust the frequency of the selection again.
In this change and also to hold his own in the worst of times, Joselu has called his family fundamental. In March they traveled from Barcelona to Malaga for a possible but uncertain debut, which took place in extremis and was great. When he was done, he went behind the team bench to kiss his wife and brought his two children downstairs to experience the pitch where he made his debut. “Who scored two goals today?” he would say. “Youuu!” the older one replied.
That Friday, when his cell phone was full of messages from strangers and his Instagram account was blocked, he once again reminded his family: “Family is everything.” When something good happens, many people always come to you, but the ones who are always there when it’s bad are them. They have been a very important support for me and have made a great effort to be here with me.”
At the Twente Stadium, after another short but unforgettable night, he found it increasingly difficult to play around with the kids on the pitch: “My son wanted to play on the pitch and the Dutch didn’t let us…I think.” Those are wonderful moments and once in a lifetime. I enjoy them a little late but like I’m a kid.”
Joselu shared a forward with Morata at Castilla, making his Real Madrid debut at the Bernabéu in May 2011 and scoring for Almería from a Cristiano Ronaldo pass. He scored in the 87th minute, three minutes after coming on. As with the selection. That afternoon he replaced Karim Benzema who left the club shortly before his return after a very lengthy recap. According to sources familiar with the operation, Joselu’s arrival in Madrid is not possible and one awaits the announcement of the League of Nations final. His contract with Espanyol includes a clause that will be activated in the event of relegation, allowing him a free spell at a club that takes over 100% of his balance sheet.
After their last season together at Castilla, Morata stayed in the first team and Joselu started a long journey in Hoffenheim through ten Bundesliga, Premier League and La Liga teams: “I worked hard, yes, that’s right.” I got in played in the top three leagues in the world. I enjoyed it and learned a lot from each one. I think nowadays age is just a number.”
Before returning to Madrid at 33, he met Morata again, in the band in front of his instant prodigies and previously in friendship: “I’ve had a relationship with Álvaro since we played together. We never stopped having it. We talk a lot. I have great affection for him. He’s a real professional, a teammate, one of the captains of the national team, he’s a player I respect and admire a lot for his career. He’ll be happy for me because of what happened yesterday, just as I’m happy for him when he scores a goal or wins a title.”
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