Close - Ella Toone

Chapter 22

Game day (NOT OF THIS GAME IS AN ACCURATE GAME)

Madison's POV

I got thousands of calls and texts before the game like I did on Friday, but this time there seemed to be even more. I couldn't keep up with all the calls so I just ended up sending loads of texts.

I talked to my mom, dad, grandma and my older sister Charlotte on call before the game.

"So are you coming home tonight?" Charlotte asked me.

"Yep," I replied.

"I can't wait! Neither can Hannah,"

"That's the real reason I'm excited to come home," I couldn't help but smile when talking about my 3-year-old niece. I really miss her.

"She screamed so loud when you scored the other day,"

"Awwww,"

"We'll be watching you tonight. You're gonna do great. I believe in you"

"Thanks. Well, I gotta go. See you when I get home if you're still awake,"

"I'll be waiting up,"

"Okay. Bye,"

"Love you,"

"Love you more,"

"Tell Ella I said hi!" She said quickly as I hung up.

"Ella, my sister says hi,"

"Hello to your sister," She said. "Which one was it, don't you have 2?"

"It was Charlotte, the one with my niece,"

"Aww. Do I get to meet her when we go home?"

"Sure,"

"Yay!"

It made me a little nervous that Ella was going to meet my whole family because we still haven't really talked about what we are. Are we a thing? Was it a one-time thing? Will it happen again? Are we exclusive?

I was about to ask her but as I was about to open my mouth she left the room.

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Kick-off

Commentators POV

"Today is England vs Italy. I'm Gabby Logan and with me is former England player Alex Scott,"

"In the last game, we saw both goals by young players, Madison Lewis and Ella Toone. The first goal was by Lewis with her first touch of the game ending with a header into the back of the net assisted by Toone. The second goal was assisted by Lewis to Toone. There is definitely a connection between the two young players," Alex said.

"I think a lot of people were questioning Sarina's decision to call up so many young players, but others were saying that Madison Lewis's call-up was long overdue. What's your opinion about it, Alex?"

"I think having so many young players like Toone, Russo and Lewis is a good thing. They have all proved that they deserve a spot on this team and I think the team needs them. I also have to agree that Madison's call-up was definitely overdue. She has been performing so well in the U23s, she definitely deserves this spot on the team,"

"Lewis is getting the start today over Alessia Russo, who is currently out with a concussion from the last match. The starting lineup hasn't changed other than that," Gabby said.

"And here we go, Ellen White to take kickoff back to Stanway, who passes outside to Walsh," Alex said.

11 minute - 

Fran Kirby stole the ball in the midfield and passed it to Georgia Stanway, who passed the ball to Madison Lewis.

"Here we go! Lewis to Ellen White..." Alex said. "White is carrying the ball up the pitch with Stanway just behind her, the ball is passed to Toone, Toone takes the defender on, the shot from Ella Toone!"

"What a save from the kee- LEWIS TO FINISH IT!" Yelled Gabby.

England 1, Italy 0.

The crowd goes wild as Lewis runs to Toone for a hug. They celebrated as their goal was replayed on the screen.

12th minute -

"Here we go back in the middle. Stanway has won the ball back very quickly for England ... she's running it upfield with White just behind, Toone on her left and Lewis on her right. She's played a through ball to Toone who's crossed the ball to the other side of the pitch as players run at her to Lewis. Is she gonna shoot? No, she crosses it into a wide-open Stanway in the middle of the box. AND A BRILLIANT FINISH FROM GEORGIA STANWAY!"

England 2, Italy 0.

31st minute - 

Shot from Italy, saved by Mary Earps. She send the ball to Ella Toone. Toone controls the ball beautifully, bringing the ball to her feet. In front of her is Ellen White but she passes back instead to Fran Kirby. Kirby spots Lewis who is wide open with only 1 defender in front of her.

Kirby tries to play Madison Lewis in, but the pass is intercepted.

"Kirby, trying to find Lewis, but it's intercepted! But Walsh wins it back quite quickly. Lovely footwork from Keira Walsh there!" Alex said.

Walsh to Lewis who turns nicely. She takes a quick luck at the goal and decides to shoot.

"AND SHE FINISHES FROM DISTANCE! GOOOOOOOAL MADISON LEWIS!" Gabby yells.

"The way she looks up and goes 'yeah I can make that' and put's it top right is just so impressive."

54th minute -

"And we have Toone running down the field. To her left White and to her right Madison Lewis. White is wide open, but Toone has chose to continue going up field. Toone denied." Said Gabby.

"But Lewis is on the follow up," Alex said.

"Denied again. This keeper!"

"BUT THERE'S TOONE AGAIN!"

England 4, Italy 0

80th minute -

"Here comes Italy, Bright beaten! OH THERE IT IS!"

"That was an excellent goal from Sertutini, Earps just fingertips away,"

England 4, Italy 1.

81 minute -

"England are coming back quick from kickoff, Lewis takes on 2 centre backs! A beautiful touch around Linari!"

"Keepers coming out, but Lewis takes the ball around her. Keeper goes in for the slide tackle but it's TOO LATE! THAT'S A HATTRICK FOR LEWIS TONIGHT!"

"And a beautiful hattrick at that. The first with her right foot, then her head and then finally with her left."

"Lewis clearly didn't like conceeding that last goal. She had to ruin that bit off hope from Italy,"

"And the ref has given Durante a yell for that tackle but Madison is there pleading the case of the goalkeeper saying it was an accident. But then straight back to celebrating she goes. Lewis and Stanway with there handshake again."

England 5, Italy 1