Despite the warning, Daniel had little time to dwell on it—the semifinals were here. CF Igualada faced CF Terrassa, one of the strongest teams in the tournament.
The match started at an intense pace. Terrassa pressed aggressively, controlling possession and forcing Igualada to defend deep. Daniel found himself constantly running, tracking back to help his teammates hold the line.
Then, in the 30th minute, a cross from the wing flew into the box. A Terrassa striker leapt high, his header sending the ball rocketing toward the goal.
Daniel felt the shift again—time dragged, slowed. He saw the ball's exact trajectory, saw where it would land before it even got there.
Reacting instantly, he sprinted back and deflected it away at the last moment.
Coach Navarro shouted from the sideline. "¡Bien hecho, Daniel!" (Well done, Daniel!)
CF Igualada held their ground until the second half, when Álvaro and Marc combined for a brilliant goal, securing a 1-0 victory and a place in the tournament final.
As the team celebrated, Daniel glanced at the crowd, half-expecting to see the observers again. They weren't there. But somehow, he knew this wasn't over.