First Game

La Fragua Dormitory – Match Day Morning

The sun peeked through the thin curtains of Alvaro's dorm room, casting streaks of light over his desk and bed. His alarm buzzed sharply, pulling him from a restless sleep. Today was the day—the opening match of the Regional Youth Knockout Tournament.

Sitting up, Alvaro rubbed his hands together, nerves buzzing under his skin. He reached for his phone and dialed home, the familiar ringtone filling the quiet room.

"¡Alvaro!" Mateo's excited voice burst through the line. "Are you playing today? Are you going to score?"

Alvaro couldn't help but smile. "I'll try, Mateo. You'll cheer for me, right?"

"Always!" Mateo shouted, his enthusiasm infectious.

Elena's warm voice came next. "How are you feeling, mi hijo?"

"Nervous," Alvaro admitted, his voice soft. "It's a big game."

"You've trained for this," Elena said, her tone reassuring. "Remember, no matter what happens, we're proud of you."

"Thanks, Mamá," Alvaro said, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I'll do my best."

Roberto's steady voice chimed in. "Play with heart, Alvaro. If you make it to the final, we'll be there, cheering you on from the stands."

The promise sent a wave of determination through him. "I'll see you there, Papá."

Ending the call, Alvaro sat up from the bed. He felt the weight felt lightening after the call and excitement brewing "This is it," he whispered to himself.

---

The hum of conversation filled the air as the team gathered in the dressing room at the tournament venue. The walls were adorned with banners of past champions, and the faint scent of freshly cut grass wafted in through the open door.

Alvaro sat quietly, lacing his boots with methodical precision. Around him, his teammates buzzed with excitement, their energy palpable.

"Alright, listen up!" Martinez's voice cut through the noise as he strode into the room. The players immediately fell silent, their eyes fixed on their coach.

"This is your moment," Martinez began, his voice firm but inspiring. "You've trained for this. You've earned this. Now it's time to show what you're made of."

He paused, letting his words settle over the group.

"Remember the plan: tight marking, quick transitions, and capitalize on their mistakes. Stay disciplined, stay focused, and fight for each other out there."

Martinez's gaze swept over the team, landing briefly on Alvaro. "This isn't just a match—it's a chance to prove that La Fragua is the best. Play with heart, and leave no doubts about who you are."

The room erupted in a chorus of cheers as the players rose, their adrenaline surging. Alvaro clenched his fists, the weight of Martinez's words fueling his resolve.

Stepping onto the pitch, Alvaro took a deep breath, the roar of the crowd sending shivers down his spine. The opposing team, Castilla North Academy, stood on the other side of the field, their blue-and-white kits gleaming under the sunlight.

The referee blew his whistle, and the game was underway.

---

The opening minutes were chaotic, both teams battling fiercely for control of the midfield. Castilla pressed aggressively, their physicality forcing La Fragua onto the back foot.

Alvaro found himself marked closely by their captain, Javier Montes, whose relentless pressure made it difficult to find space.

"Keep moving, Cortez!" Diego shouted, threading a pass to Alvaro despite the tight marking.

Taking a sharp touch, Alvaro turned and released the ball quickly to the winger, avoiding a crunching tackle by inches.

In the 12th minute, Castilla launched a dangerous counterattack. Their striker, Marco Ruiz, broke free of the defense, charging towards goal. The crowd held their breath as Ruiz unleashed a powerful shot, only for La Fragua's goalkeeper to make a stunning diving save.

"Good save, Ricardo!" Alvaro shouted, clapping his hands as the team regrouped.

Moments later, La Fragua had their chance. Alvaro intercepted a pass in midfield and drove forward, weaving past two defenders before laying the ball off to Victor on the wing. Victor's cross sailed into the box, but the striker's header went just wide of the post.

"Unlucky!" Diego called, his voice cutting through the groans of the crowd.

In the 25th minute, Alvaro was fouled just outside the penalty area, earning a free kick in a prime position. The referee marked the spot, and Alvaro stepped up, the ball resting under his gaze.

The wall was set, the goalkeeper crouched low, and the crowd fell silent as Alvaro lined up his shot.

He struck the ball cleanly, sending it curling over the wall with precision. The goalkeeper dived desperately, the ball grazing his fingertips before flying mere inches over the crossbar.

The collective gasp from the crowd was followed by scattered applause, a testament to the beauty of the effort.

"Close one, Cortez!" Diego said, patting him on the back as they jogged into position.

Alvaro nodded, his heart pounding. The miss stung, but it fueled his determination.

As the half wore on, the game grew increasingly tense. Castilla controlled possession, probing for openings, but La Fragua's defense held firm. Alvaro worked tirelessly, tracking back to support the backline, Making combination plays with Diego and breaking up plays with well-timed tackles.

In the 40th minute, Castilla earned a corner kick. The ball sailed into the box, and a chaotic scramble ensued. The people watching stood up.But Ricardo punched it away, and Alvaro pounced on the loose ball, launching a counterattack.

Sprinting upfield, he threaded a pass to Carlos, who unleashed a shot from the edge of the box. The ball skimmed just wide, leaving the crowd groaning once again.

The referee blew his whistle, signaling the end of the first half. The score remained 0-0, but the tension was palpable. Both teams walked off the pitch, sweat dripping and lungs heaving.

In the dressing room, Alvaro sank onto the bench, his mind racing. The first half had been a battle, but the game was far from over.

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