Last Goal Wins is a drama that's truly got everything: heart-stopping action on the pitch, pulse-racing tension in the stands, and a powerful punch to the gut when it comes to the real-life issues facing football today. This cat-and-mouse game between racism, belonging, and ambition has just kicked off at Catford's Broadway Theatre, and trust us, you won't want to miss it!
The production explodes onto the stage with Charlton Athletic players Victory and Youssef already in full swing on drills, fighting for those coveted World Cup spots. Their coach even drags audience members into penalty shootouts – talk about being part of the action! Justice Ezi's script is a real masterclass: well-paced, cleverly plotted (apart from that one slight wobbly bit towards the end), with sharp wit and heart-wrenching moments that'll leave you reeling.
The story's all about those three main players – and what a trio they make! Benjamin Akintuyosi brings a 'heartbreakingly frantic' energy to Victory, who believes this is his last shot at playing for Nigeria and changing the fortunes of his young family. Then there's Alexander Lobo Moreno as Youssef, a conflicted goalkeeper torn between his English upbringing and social media fame – or could he be tempted by that lucrative offer from Morocco? Meanwhile, Michael (Cameron Forrest) bursts onto the scene, a wealthy white Arsenal star who left Nigeria at five – and with him comes all sorts of awkward questions about cultural identity and what it truly means to 'belong'.
Director Kalungi Ssebandeke is a genius with the small studio space, helped by Gabrielle Nimo's fantastic movement work. The gameplay's bold and electrifying, culminating in that nail-biting final match, where sound and lighting create an almost unbearable tension. And let's not forget those comedic moments – from Michael's 'skinny, flat white' observations to the scathing critiques of racist fans back home.
Ezi refuses to give us easy answers, even throwing up some pretty tricky questions about Nigeria's assistant manager Zanza Azuka's hiring decisions. This is a play that'll leave you feeling as challenged as it does entertained – and maybe even make you wonder if the beautiful game really is all that beautiful after all.