20 August 2023

Stadium Australia, Sydney

It was Sunday evening, and more than 75,000 fans had packed Stadium Australia for the World Cup final. It definitely wasn’t the matchup everyone had expected to see, that was for sure. La Roja against the Three Lionesses? Not anyone’s prediction. But here they all were, at the end of all things.“

“Mama, hurry up.” 

Ona Batlle looked over to see their young star striker, Salma Paralluelo, whining as Alexia tied her loose boot lace for her. She raised an eyebrow at the tone. She definitely wouldn’t dare speak to Alexia like that, not right before they went on to play. Even if Alexia was starting off the bench.

“I wouldn’t speak to your mama like that, pequeñita. She’s doing you a favor right now, so I’d say ‘thank you’ if I were you and be polite.”

“Thank you Mama Alexia,” Salma said with a sigh as Alexia stood up. “Sorry I was rude, I’m just…”

“Don’t tell us you’re nervous, Little Fish,” Ona interrupted. “You can do this. We can do this.” 

“Was gonna say excited, Ona.”

“Alright Little Fish. Let’s turn that excitement into winning this one, yeah?” For us, not for him, she added silently. We’re doing this for us and for Spain. 

“Alright, it’s time!” Olga called out, getting La Roja’s attention. The armband firmly in place, she clapped twice, summoning the rest of the starting eleven. They took the field and found their places. Salma’s heart thudded. Wonder what AT would do if she was here…but if she was, we wouldn’t be, she thought. I’m gonna win this for her, too, then. Hermanas. 

It was only a few minutes before Irene Paredes was shoved to the ground by Ella Toone. She’d nearly gotten a handball, and the impulsive action drew some looks from her teammates. Hopefully someone told Bright about that, even if she didn't see it herself, Olga frowned; that was no way for a Spanish footballer to behave, even if she had been pushed down. The behaviour would have to be addressed sooner rather than later.

In the same minute, England had a chance for a goal, Alessia Russo crossed the ball to Lauren Hemp, whose left footed shot was saved by Cata Coll. We got lucky. 

At the end of the 5th minute, Russo attempted a pass, but Salma saw that the referee whistled her offside. 

Worry over Irene consumed Salma, and she was battling with her feelings as she battled for the ball. The headstrong teen careened around the field recklessly, and just ten minutes into the match, shoved English captain Millie Bright hard in the back as they battled for the ball, putting the older player on the ground.

The ref’s whistle rang out, and Salma stopped dead. Santa Maria, Madre de Dios…She shut her eyes in relief as the decision was made clear.

Just a foul, no card.

Salma breathed a little easier - only a little, because that was still bad enough, and she could see Ona watching her across the field, her older teammate keeping an eye on her. She headed for Olga and Mariona, her fellow forward hopefully able to protect her from the captain’s wrath. Unfortunately, they had their own problems.

The next English offense occurred in the eleventh minute, when Lucy Bronze tripped Olga Carmona and the result was a foul.

Olga’s attempt at a free kick did not result in a goal, and a frustrated Mariona Caldentey pushed Keira Walsh in the back from behind, getting whistled on for a foul and making Salma blush. I hope Mama Alexia doesn’t think that was cause of me.

Olga crossed the ball to her feet as she stood in the centre of the box, and Salma made a left footed shot, but missed to the right of the goal.

It turns out that the English players weren't finished with Olga Carmona yet, as Alessia Russo stepped on Olga Carmona's foot, sending her to the ground with a grimace of pain and committing a foul. 

The next English attempt at a goal came a minute later, but thankfully Lauren Hemp's attempt hit the bar.

Instead of trying to go again when she got the ball back, Salma passed the ball to Alba Redondo, whose right footed shot was saved by the Lionesses’ goalkeeper, Mary Earps.

Salma could see Mary Earps running her mouth, almost like she wanted to curse some of the Spanish players out. Hopefully the English disciplinarian deals with that. 

In the next minute, England had a breakaway opportunity, but Lauren Hemp could not capitalize, with her shot going wide of the net.

In the same minute, Alessia Russo held Olga Carmona back by grabbing her arm, surprisingly not even a foul was called. 

Two minutes later, Salma felt someone push her in the back. As she looked up from laying on the ground, Salma saw it was the English captain, Millie Bright who had pushed her. Likely revenge for earlier. Salma thought. 

Not a minute later, Lauren Hemp won a free kick, luckily nothing came of it. 

The next thing Salma remembered was that Ona Batlle slammed her shoulder into Lauren Hemp. Hemp fell down on the ground, and Salma sent a nervous glance in Ona's direction. 

Ona was feeling nervous too, there was a delay as Lauren Hemp was checked over, and she knew she’d be in trouble for this one whether Hemp was okay or not. The two Manchester rivals - City and United - stared at each other, and Ona swallowed down her worry. It’s Hemp’s fault for being there in the first place. A few of her United teammates played for England, but Ona didn’t figure they’d pity her, not even Mearps. Right now Hemp was their teammate. She wasn’t.

She locked eyes with Katie Zelem, her club captain, and Katie raised her eyebrows meaningfully. 

Now’s not the time for me to see you do that. Wait until we get home, brat.

Ona winced.

The next thing that Ona noticed was that Jess Carter tried a through ball, but Alessia Russo was caught offside.

The next move in the match didn't come until five minutes later, when Alba Redondo won a free kick on the right wing of the box. But it was blocked by the keeper, Mary Earps. 

Next thing she knew, Ona felt that she was diving towards the ground, without having intended to. As she looked both left and right, Ona noticed that Rachel Daly was also down on the pitch, though neither was badly hurt. Our legs must have got tangled up. Ona thought.

This resulted in a foul being called  and then Spanish captain Olga Carmona got the ball from Mariona Caldentey. She was in the left side of the box, and sent a left footed shot toward the right side, surprising Mary Earps, who wasn’t in time to catch it before the ball buried itself in the net.

Goal. 1-0 Spain. Olga’s teammates mobbed her happily, though Ona noticed Mearps looking furious with herself.

Ona tossed Mearps a wave, getting a scowl from her Manchester United teammate. 

The next thing Ona knew, it was her who was sweeping the legs of Lauren Hemp out from under her during a sliding tackle.

Well that's definitely a foul, and trouble I didn't need to make for myself. She thought. 

The next offense came five minutes later, from England this time as Georgia Stanway stepped on Tana’s foot resulting in a foul.

Tana took the free kick on the left wing, but nothing came of it. 

In the next minute, Irene had an opportunity for a goal, but her left footed shot from the right side of the box missessed to the right following a set piece situation.

Five minutes later, Alessia Russo tried a through ball, but Ella Toone was caught offside.

There was one last opportunity to add another Spanish goal, four minutes later, in the final minute of extra time in the first half, Ona herself had the ball. She passed it to Salma, who hit the right post with a right footed shot from the center of the box.

Halftime. 

La Roja were still going into Halftime with a 1-0 lead over England, Ona would have liked a larger lead, but that was better than being tied, or worse, losing going into halftime. 

**********************

As the second half was about to get underway, Salma Paralluelo was certain of two things: 1) Spain was going to win for everyone important: Their families, people of Spain, and people like AT cause hermanas. And 2) Someone else was going to score. Surely the final of the Women's World Cup wasn't going to end 1-0, right?!

Before Salma knew it, she was on the pitch, playing once more. 

The first thing she remembered was how the English coach made two substitutions within the first two minutes of the second half.

 England made their first substitution with Lauren James replacing Alessia Russo, and Chloe Kelly replacing Rachel Daly. Who let those brats back on the field, specially James?

The first Spanish offense happened next when Olga Carmona stepped on Chloe Kelly's foot from behind, sending her to the ground resulting in a foul.

The first English offense came next as Lauren Hemp pulled Irene Paredes down by tugging on her arm, sending her to the ground resulting in a foul. 

Chloe Kelly pulled Olga Carmona down by tugging on her body (midsection) and sending her to the ground resulting in a foul. Probably revenge. 

Four minutes later, Mariona had a shot on the goal, but she couldn't net a goal. 1-0

Four minutes later, Lauren Hemp took a left footed shot from the center of the box, but it misses to the left. 1-0

Frustration must have gotten to her from not scoring because Hemp made a late tackle and her knee  landed on Laia Codina’s foot, then Hemp’s foot ended up tripping Codina committing a bad foul, which was later ruled a yellow in the 55’ minute.

Not five minutes later, Keira Walsh pushed Jenni down who ended up doing the splits resulting in a foul. Mama Alexia isn't going to be happy about that. And it was Tia Keira! What was she thinking?!

Next thing Salma remembered, Oihane was being subbed on for Alba Maria Redondo Ferrer.

Then Tana got a shot on goal….. but it didn't connect. Ouch, I'm sorry, hermana. I know it sucks when you miss. 

Keira Walsh with a Handball in the penalty area, the result was a penalty. Ooooh Mama Jenni is taking it!

And she missed it, poor Mama Jenni!

Then Salma saw something she didn't expect: England's keeper yelled fuck off at Mama Jenni and stuck her tongue out at Mama Jenni. That was just mean! I hope someone makes you eat soap!

The next thing Salma knew, Alex Greenwood was pushing Mama Jenni in the back, but the shocking thing was, the referee didn't see, Mama Jenni showed Greenwood her naughty finger! Uh oh yeah definitely a naughty move, Mama Jenni. Mama Alexia isn't going to be happy. 

England tried passing the ball, but Chloe Kelly was called offside. 

Georgia Stanway stepped on Laia Codina's foot next, and Salma saw her teammate go down to the ground screaming in pain. She was subbed off for Ivana Andrés. Well that certainly should have been at least a yellow card, not just a foul, Laia had to be subbed off!!

Tia Lucy was next, and she had a shot on goal but luckily it was saved! Whew, still 1-0

Next came Lauren James a minute later, with her attempt on goal, but luckily her shot was wide. Where the heck had the England brat come from?!

The next thing Salma remembered, she was in midair, contesting possession of the ball with Alex Greenwood. Greenwood went down with blood on her head. Bu- but I didn't hit her, honest! The ref still showed the yellow card, saying that her arms were restricted and she couldn't protect herself from the ball, which did hit her. Aw man, Mamas are going to be sooo disappointed in me, I can just hear them, “We don't restrict people's arms it could lead to injuries cause they can't protect themselves, right Salma?”

Salma was so distracted by her inner thoughts that she didn't realize what was going on around her until she heard the ref’s whistle. 

Mama Jenni was down on the ground again, this time courtesy of Georgia Stanway. But before Salma knew it, Mama Jenni was back on her feet and playing again. Should Mama Jenni still even be playing with all her injuries? Mama Alexia, and Tia Marta probably disagree. 

Bethany England is replacing Ella Toone for England. Uh oh, Salmathought, England is literally her last name!

Two minutes later, England captain Millie Bright tried for a goal, but luckily it was blocked. Still 1-0.

Then Mama Jenni had a shot on goal, but it was blocked.

Then, Mama Alexia was subbed on. The only person we're missing is Misa, then we would be able to be a family on the pitch at the same time, all on the same side! Not that Cata isn't doing a great job, cause she is! It's just that’s hermana.

In the same minute that she came on, Mama Alexia had a shot on goal, thanks to a cross from Little Tere, but it was blocked. Mama Alexia has to be feeling bad about that one, especially considering it was a cross from Little Tere.

It was Ona who had an opportunity for a goal next, with a cross from prima Tana, but sadly this did not result in a goal, either. Still 1-0.

England had the ball and tried to pass it, but Lucy Bronze was called for a handball. 

Georgia Stanway committed the next offense when she pushed Mama Alexia in the back from behind. Luckily, Mama Jenni was turned in the opposite direction, cause I don't want to think about her reaction if she saw that.

Three minutes later, Tana got a nice cross from Tere but couldn't find the back of the net. She has to feel bad about that, especially since the cross came from Little Tere.

The next thing Salma knew, it was her that Tere was crossing the ball to, but sadly her shot didn't find the back of the net. I'm sorry, hermana. Salma felt like she let her hermana down, especially after that was the second time in this minute that Tere  crossed the ball to an extended family member, only for the score to stay the same. You can see the frustration on Tere's face. That could be the last attempt we get for a goal. Still 1-0. Is this match really going to end 1-0?

Three minutes later, Chloe Kelly stepped on Mama Jenni’s foot, causing her to fall on the ground in pain and resulting in a foul for the English player. Are they trying to play dirty now because they think they're going to lose?

One minute after that, Georgia Stanway pushed Olga Carmona to the ground resulting in a foul. Yep, they’re definitely playing dirty in the final minutes of stoppage time.

One minute later, at literally the last possible moment, England captain Millie Bright tried for a header, but Cata was there to block it! 1-0! She's definitely going to feel guilty about missing that, it was their last opportunity. 

And they were World. Cup. Winners!

This wasn't for him though, this was for all of the Spanish people and all of the people who couldn't play in this match from Misa all the way to AT. Hermanas forever!