Chapter 651 Mental Preparation

651 Mental Preparation

Zachary quickly found a spot in the bar as the game kicked off. He settled into his seat, his eyes glued to the screen as the semi-final between France and Belgium began.

From the onset, Belgium dominated. Their play was fluid and dynamic, weaving intricate patterns across the pitch. Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard orchestrated attacks with masterful precision, slicing through the French defense time after time. The bar erupted in gasps with each near miss, the tension mounting with every passing minute.

Despite Belgium's relentless pressure, France's defense held firm. Hugo Lloris made several crucial saves, and his reflexes and positioning were impeccable. Then, in the 52nd minute, the moment came. A corner for France. Antoine Griezmann delivered a perfect cross into the box, and Samuel Umtiti rose above the Belgian defenders to meet it. His header was powerful and precise, sending the ball past Thibaut Courtois and into the back of the net.

Zachary wasn't surprised by the turn of events. He had witnessed this moment in his past life, a strange déjà vu that left him feeling nostalgic and determined. He sighed, reflecting on how unpredictable football could be. Despite Belgium dominating most of the game, France found the net, securing their place in the final.

Time whirled by, and as the final whistle sounded, confirming France's victory, Zachary stood up and stretched. His mind was already shifting to the next day's challenge. The lesson from the evening was clear: in football, dominance doesn't always translate to victory. It was an encouraging reminder that even if the Ivorians couldn't dominate the stronger English side, they could still win.

Zachary turned to his teammates, who were still buzzing with post-match discussions. "Goodnight, everyone," he called out, garnering a few nods and waves in return. He left the bar, walking briskly back to his hotel room.

Once inside, Zachary closed the door and leaned against it for a few seconds while taking a deep breath. The day had been long! Tomorrow promised to be even more intense. But he was ready.

Zachary felt even more yearning to secure a victory for Ivory Coast as he waved to the fans. Their cheers and chants filled the air, a powerful reminder of what was at stake. He followed his teammates and coaches into the stadium, the noise from the outside crowd fading as they moved into the inner sanctum of the arena.

The following minutes blurred past quickly as the Ivorian players headed to the pitch and went through their pre-game warm-up. And when they finally finished stretching their muscles and returned to the locker room, the tension grew even more palpable. Coach Hervé Renard gathered the players for a final pep talk. His voice was steady and calm, instilling confidence and focus in each player. He reminded them of their journey, of the hard work and sacrifices that had brought them to this moment. He spoke of belief, discipline, and the importance of every single play.

Zachary's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, yet he remained laser-focused on the task ahead. He visualized the field, the positions, and the movements. He thought about the strategies they had practiced and the weaknesses they had identified in the English defense. He felt the weight of expectation but also the fire of determination.

As they suited up and prepared to step onto the field, the noise from the stadium crowd filtered back into their consciousness. It was almost time. The final checks were made, and the teams quickly lined up in the tunnel, ready to emerge into the cauldron of the Luzhniki Stadium.

The walk onto the pitch was surreal, with England in their customary white jerseys and Ivory Coast in their traditional orange colors. The cheers were deafening, the energy almost tangible as all the English star players, including Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Ashley Young, and others, lined up on the field.

Zachary felt an adrenaline rush, his senses heightened, every nerve ending tingling with anticipation as he swept his gaze over his opponents. He then glanced at his teammates, seeing the same determination mirrored in their eyes.

The national anthems played, and Zachary's anticipation rose to even greater levels. This was more than a game; it was a historic moment, a chance to make history for Ivory Coast and Africa. As the anthems concluded, the players shook hands, and the captains exchanged pennants.

The stadium erupted again, and Zachary took his position on the field. His mind was clear, his body ready. The semi-final against England was about to begin, and he was determined to give everything he had to help his team reach the final.