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We nod, listening intently. We trust Raul. He’s the reason we’re improving.

We go back to the field, ready for the second half. We start strong again, pressing high, winning the ball back, moving forward. We have a few close calls, but we can’t break through.

The match gets more physical, more intense. There are some tackles, some fouls, some arguments.

But then Rebecca runs the ball down the wing. She crosses it, and Daisy goes for the header, but she misses. The ball goes to a San Lyon defender, who clears it to their number 10. She controls it and starts running.

Valentina chases her, trying to catch up, but she’s too fast. She dribbles past Rosario too and passes to their striker. She shoots, and it goes in.

I groan, frustrated. We’ve let them back in the game. The score is 1–1, and we have to regain our lead.

We try to respond, but we’re tired, sloppy. We make some mistakes, lose some possession. They take advantage of it and create more chances. Millie makes a great save, then another. She’s keeping us in the game.

The clock is ticking down, and we’re running out of time. We need a miracle, a moment of brilliance. And then we win a corner.

I use the opportunity to talk to Daisy, Rebecca, Rosario, Rene, and Valentina, telling them what I have in mind. We know each other so well, we understand what each other means with just a few words.

Rene takes the corner, and I go to the front post. Daisy goes to the back post, Rebecca lurks just outside the box, and Valentina sprints to the edge of the box. Rene curls the ball in, and I jump, heading it to Rebecca.

She traps it with her foot and passes it to Valentina. She shoots, and it’s on target, but the goalkeeper deflects it. It bounces back to Daisy, who’s right there. She shoots, but it’s saved again.

I run to the rebound and hit it with my heel, back to Valentina. She’s unmarked, and she has a clear shot at the goal. She doesn’t hesitate, she just blasts it.

The ball flies past the goalkeeper and hits the back of the net.

The stadium erupts, and so do we. We pile onto Valentina. We’ve done it, we’re in the lead. 2–1, and a huge boost for our confidence.

“I want to see another one,” I yell as we return to our positions.

The match continues, and San Lyon throws everything at us. But we hold on. We don’t let them score again.

“Come on! I want some breathing room!”

Our defense stops another attack, and Aditi passes the ball across the field toward Daisy. Rebecca and I are already running, but this time, I go on the outside while Daisy attacks the inside.

I don’t have to look to know where she is. We’re perfectly in sync. I run behind the defender, and Daisy passes the ball into space, just like I wanted. I get to it before their left back, and I cut inside.

The goalkeeper is on me. I could risk it. There’s a good chance I’d score.

Before I reach the goalkeeper, I pass to Rebecca instead.

The goal is fully open in front of her. She just taps the ball into the net.

A year ago I’d have taken that shot. A year ago I ran past her with the ball wide open on her side and gave it to somebody else just to watch her face.

We’re jumping on each other as the final whistle blows. We’ve won 3-1, and we’re ecstatic.

I find Valentina in the chaos, and I kiss her. “You scored, I assisted. Perfect combo.”

She laughs. “Show-off.”

“Says the one who scored,” I say. “Fuck, I love playing with you.”

Her eyes sparkle. “Just wait until we get home to celebrate.”

I grin. “That’s the best part.”

We go to the locker room, where Raul is waiting for us. He’s smiling, proud and happy. He tells us we’ve played a fantastic match, that we’ve shown character, that we’re on the right track.