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ONE

He couldn't believe it.

He missed the penalty.

His penalty.

A decisive penalty.

And that just cost his team the UEFA Super Cup trophy.

He sank to his knees, next to the white penalty spot. He could hear shouts and screams of victory. Unfortunately, they were coming from the opponent's fans. This was supposed to be his moment. The spotlight was supposed to be on him. Instead, he had blown it off. He had missed a crucial penalty. In fact, he was the only one who had missed a penalty in the penalty shootout. And that handed Jurglen Klopp and Liverpool fc, the Super Cup trophy.

    He stood back up, tears streaming down his face. Wordlessly, he looked around the stadium. Amongst the mixed crowd, he spotted a little girl wearing a Chelsea jersey. She was crying, her parents trying very hard to console her. He couldn't believe it. All he had to do was score his stupid penalty, but he couldn't even do that. He shook his head. He had let everyone down. His coach, his teammates, the fans, everyone. Finally looking down, started his walk to the tunnel. Azpilicueta, the team's captain, was the first to start approaching him. Then Jorginho and Emerson and Pulisic followed. He knew they were either coming to sympathize with him or condemn him.

And he wasn't ready for either.

So he did the only thing he had been wanting to do.

He ran.

He ran away from the pitch.

Away from his teammates.

Away from the fans.

Into the tunnel.

Azpilicueta was about to go after him, but was stopped by the team's manager and coach, former team player and legend, Frank Lampard.

"Let him go, Cesar. If he needs to be alone, then let him. It's a hard time for all of us."

Azpilicueta stared at the tunnel. "He needs to know it's not his fault. Everyone misses a penalty."

"Just give him time. We'll talk to him when he wants us to." Lampard assured.

"If he wants us to." Arrizabalaga whispered sadly. "C'mon. Let's go take our silver medal. I'll collect his for him."

As the team turned their direction to the podium, Giroud turned to face a blonde English woman.

"You coming?" He asked.

"Of course not. You go on ahead. I'll wait for you." She replied, smiling sadly.

Giroud nodded, rising to his feet.

When the English woman was sure no one could hear her, facing the tunnel, she said softly:

"Tammy."