Can I Go Where You Go? - Pablo Gavi

Part 1: Can I Go Where You Go?

"Spain recovers the ball and are quick on the counter attack. Pedri passes the ball across center and to Isla. She gets a touch on it, around the Netherland's Xavi Simons, being chased down by her own club teammate Frenkie De Jong. She stops it, unable to outrun him and the defense. She passes it over to another of Barcelona's stars Gavi. She makes a run as De Jong steps to Gavi. What will he do with the it? Netherland's five man defense ensures there's no space for Isla to make a run-- And they've found space! Gavi puts a ball perfectly through the defensive line to Isla who is clearly onside. She taps it onto her left, past the goalkeeper and shoots! The ball flies into the net! There is it! In the 85th minute Isla scores the goal Spain needs to move out of the group stage! And it was none other then Barcelona's Golden Trio that made it happen!"

Announcer 1: "We shouldn't have expected less, these three have been on a roll this past year."

Announcer 2: "This past year? Don't kid yourself, they've been been killing the competition ever since Isla joined Barcelona."

Announcer 1: *chuckles* "I guess you're right. This year they've claimed their aiming for the treble."

Announcer 2: "And they might just get it, but we'll have to wait and see, for now we have Isla Hernandez prepared to speak about the match we just witnessed, Spain vs the Netherlands."

Interviewer: "Welcome Isla, I'll start off by congratulating you on your win, your team must be very happy."

Isla: *calmly* "Thanks, yes we're all super excited to have won our match and secured our spot in the round of 16."

Interviewer: "To be clear, had you lost you still may have made it, depending on the outcome in the Poland vs Tunisia match taking place at the same time."

Isla: *a nod* "Correct."

Interviewer: "Have you heard the outcome of that match?"

Isla: "No, I have not."

Interviewer: "I can tell you Poland won 3-0, meaning the Netherlands also moved on to the next round."

Isla: *smiles softly* "Frenkie will be happy about that."

Interviewer: "Speaking of Frenkie De Jong, what's it like playing against your club teammates?"

Isla: "As I've said many times before, my teammates are like my family. Playing against them can be difficult, but overall we're happy for one another's wins. On the actually playing against them front however, Frenkie in particular is someone I love playing with because of his play style. He can pass flawlessly, trick his way out of situations and carry a ball from one box to another. He is never short of options. Playing against him on the other hand can be frustrating." *chuckles*

Interviewer: "Frenkie and yourself make up half of Barcelona's midfield that has been successful for three years now, you get to play with the other half of that midfield on the Spain team, do you think that will benefit your squad?"

Isla: "Oh definitely. I think we have the upper hand in the midfield. I love playing alongside Gavi and Pedri and our chemistry is unmatched, that goal showcases that perfectly. The reason we were able to counterattack so quickly was because we only needed the two of us up there to make a play."

Interviewer: "This is your first World Cup, how does it feel to be one of the players creating so much success for your team? Two goals in three World Cup games is pretty impressive. Especially at 21."

Isla: *smiles* "I had to out shine Gavi and score in my debut game in less minutes then he did."

Interviewer: *laughs* "And that you did in your game against Poland. A few last questions and I will let you go."

Isla: *nods*

Interviewer: "You were not even sure if you would be able to play in this World Cup six months ago, additionally it only came out two months ago that you would be joining the Spain squad."

Isla: *nods again* "Yes, I was not sure if the loop hole that allows me to play on Barca's men's team exists in the Men's World Cup rules as well."

Interviewer: "And it does?"

Isla: *shrugs* "It does now."

Interviewer: *smiles* "You make the world bend to your fingertips, don't you Isla Hernandez?"

Isla: *smiles but doesn't respond*

Interviewer: "Final question: Why Spain and not Canada, the country you're famously from?"

Isla: "I considered playing on the Canadian squad, but my mom being born and raised in Barcelona gave me the option of playing for Spain instead. That rule is there for a reason, and I decided I wanted to represent the country I have felt embraced me the most, specifically in terms of futbol. I also wanted to experience my first ever World Cup alongside my boyfriend Gavi and my best friend Pedri."

Interviewer: "You know what this means right?"

Isla: "What does it mean?"

Interviewer: "Your decision means you'll be playing against your country of birth in the next round as Canada has made it through to the round of 16."

Isla: *keeps face neutral* "I always knew it was a possibility I would be facing Canada, doesn't mean I want to beat them any less." *smiles sweetly*

Interviewer: "And will you beat them?"

Isla: "I guess we'll have to wait and see."