New Beginnings

Semi-Finals

After 3 days of pure chaos, I was now having breakfast with Luca before meeting up with Argentina's national team.

'Thank God there's only one match today.' Luca said taking a sip from his fresh orange juice.

'Who knew French people party this hard.' I chuckled, leaning back in the chair.

'I think I'm getting too old to keep up.' Luca sighed.

'It didn't show like you were having a hard time to keep up.' I laughed.

***

'You guys look rough.' Paredes chuckled as soon as he saw us.

'Please.' I smiled. 'I'm waiting to see how you guys party.'

'You're acting like they're ever going to invite us.' Luca rolled his eyes.

'We'll invite Irina.' Paredes smiled. 'I'm not so sure about you.' Luca pushed him playfully in response.

***

'Hola, mis queridos jugadores.' (Hello, my dear players.) I addressed them with a smile. 'Estoy haciendo todo lo posible para mantenerme contenta, pero estoy súper emocionada de verte en las semifinales.' (I'm trying my hardest to keep myself content, but I am super excited to see you in the semifinals.) I squealed excitedly, making the players smile.

'Estamos muy contentos de verte jugar hoy y estamos 100% a tu favor.' (We're excited to see you play today and we are 100% rooting for you.) Luca smiled. 'Quizás Irina más que otros.' (Maybe Irina more than others.) he chuckled.

'Hoy su entrenamiento será transmitido en vivo, seguido de algunas entrevistas cortas sobre cómo se siente llegar a esta etapa en el Torneo y qué cosas están esperando.' (Today your training will be live-streamed, followed by some short interviews about how it feels reaching this stage in the Tournament and what things are you expecting.) I added.

'Dicho esto, vamos a trabajar.' (With that being said, let's get to work.) Luca said.

***

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afaseleccion No olvides ver el debut de Argentina en las semifinales del Mundial 2022.

comments

user24 i missed those interviews

user7 i love how they're all so comfortable with Irina

user10 ARGENTINA CHAMPIONS OF THE WOLRD🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

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After we finished our work at the training centre we all headed to the stadium. Me and Luca once again did our routine of going and checking up on Anto and the kids, spending some time with them before the match begins.

***

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irinaa.daviess in case you guys missed us🤪

tagged demie_lucaa

comments

user6 i did miss seeing pictures of you twoooo

user8 rightfully supporting argentina💙💪🏼

pedri your heads are a bit too close, please distance🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
—> demie_lucaa i promise it won't happen again🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
—> irinaa.daviess he insisted on our heads touching🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

user13 luca seems so happy i'm acc dying

k.mbappe oh but he doesn't want to wear supporting colours for me
—> demie_lucaa i was clearly forced
—> irinaa.daviess really looks to me like traitor
—> k.mbappe changing your contact name to that

user27 i love their comments section

antonelaroccuzzo 💙💙💙💙💙

user33 luca and irina are so cute with leo's family

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***

The referee blew his whistle, indicating the start of the game.

I knew this game was going to be quite intense, as both teams were super good, but my emotions were telling me I had nothing to worry about.

Just 30 minutes in, there's a collision between Croatia's goalkeeper and Alvarez. Livaković and Kovačić both receive a yellow card and a penalty is being given to Argentina.

The stadium goes quiet as Leo places himself in front of the goalkeeper. With such nonchalance he takes it, the ball going straight in.

'YESSSSS! VAMOSSSSSS!' I scream as loud as I can.

And just 10 minutes later, Álvarez gets the chance to score and so he does.

'GOALLLLL!' I jump up as my eyes turn glossy.

Half time starts with Argentina taking the lead in the first half.

The second half started with a few substitutions taking place from both teams. A yellow card is being given to Romero after a crunching challenge from behind on Petkovic.

In the minute 69', Messi hangs on to the ball until he spots Alvarez and sends the ball straight to him who puts it past Croatia's goalkeeper.

'GOALLLLLL!' I jump up.

Otamendi is shown the yellow card for a needless foul on Petkovic in the 71' minute.

The game ends after 6 minutes extra added, with Argentina qualifying for the final.

I crouch down, covering my face while tears are flooding my cheeks.

Argentina is in the Final.

I can hear Argentina's supporters chanting and singing, celebrating the win.

All of a sudden I'm knocked to the ground, making me burst into chuckle.

'We're in the final!!!!!!' Paredes shakes me excitedly. 'We made it!' he smiles.

He then helps me stand up as the rest of the players are heading towards me and Luca and the rest of the benched players.

Everyone is jumping up and celebrating.

And I wished every match was like this.