Rising Tensions

The Catalonia Youth Football Tournament had begun, and CF Igualada was set to face CF Vilanova in their opening match. The atmosphere was electric, with teams from various towns in Barcelona province converging to showcase their talent.

Daniel, having impressed Coach Navarro in the previous game, found himself in the starting lineup. The weight of expectations pressed upon him, but he was determined to prove his worth.

As the match commenced, Daniel felt the familiar rush of adrenaline. CF Vilanova was a formidable opponent, their defense tight and their offense relentless. Midway through the first half, Daniel intercepted a pass and initiated a counter-attack. He dribbled past two defenders and took a shot, but the goalkeeper deflected it. Álvaro, positioned perfectly, seized the rebound and scored.

Despite the goal, Álvaro's animosity towards Daniel hadn't waned. During a brief pause, he muttered, "No te creas el héroe. Fue mi gol." (Don't think you're the hero. It was my goal.)

Daniel clenched his jaw but chose to stay focused. The game resumed, and as the minutes ticked away, he noticed a familiar figure at the edge of the crowd—the older man who had been watching him during practice. A chill ran down his spine.

Distracted, Daniel miscalculated a pass, leading to a turnover. CF Vilanova capitalized on the mistake, equalizing the score. Coach Navarro's frustration was evident.

At halftime, Sofia approached Daniel. "¿Estás bien?" (Are you okay?)

He nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. The presence of the mysterious man was unsettling.

The second half was intense. Both teams were eager to secure a win. In the final minutes, Daniel saw an opportunity. He maneuvered past the defense and, with a precise shot, scored the winning goal.

The crowd erupted in cheers, but Daniel's eyes searched for the older man. He was gone.