THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-635

As the Ivorian football team returned to their dressing room, the atmosphere was charged with electricity. They had just pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory against Portugal, and the players could hardly contain their excitement. Their faces repeatedly flashed with broad grins as they burst into song and dance, like a group of carefree kids who had just stumbled upon a treasure trove of candy. The room was filled with laughter and chatter as they changed out of their sweaty match gear and cleaned up, still high on the thrill of their victory. The energy in the air was palpable, a mix of joy, relief, and a sense of accomplishment that came with achieving something great.

As the celebrations were in full swing, Zachary was in the thick of all the action, soaking in every moment of the spectacular experience. Despite being a novice to the team and the World Cup, he felt a strong sense of belonging among his Ivorian teammates. He was going all out in the revelry, meeting everyone's enthusiasm at every turn while cracking jokes and exchanging pleasantries with his fellow players. It was a moment of pure bliss and camaraderie that they would all treasure and reminisce for years.

Eventually, the excitement finally subsided, and Hervé Renard, the coach, took the stage, ready to address his players.

With a voice brimming with excitement, he exclaimed, "I don't care what anyone else says, but we played an outstanding match out there! We worked as a team, put in our best efforts, and managed to secure a favorable outcome against one of the top footballing nations in the world. I couldn't be prouder of each and every one of you!"

The players erupted into cheers and laughter, the room once again filled with the sound of their banter and camaraderie. But just as the noise reached a crescendo, the coach raised his hand, calling for silence.

"Hey, hold on a second!" he said, and the room fell silent. The players leaned in, eager to hear what the coach had to say.

"Our win against Portugal has put us in a great position. We've secured six points and are currently leading the Group B table. But listen up, we're not out of the woods yet. Our last game is crucial, and we can't afford to lose focus. If we do, Spain and Portugal could easily surpass us with their goal difference, and our World Cup dreams and hopes could come crashing down."

The coach's words hit the players like a ton of bricks, causing them to snap out of their complacency. They knew deep down that he was right. Memories of Ivory Coast's past few World Cup participations came flooding back, and with them, the pain of early elimination due to careless mistakes by their team. It was time to put in the hard work – to sweat, bleed, and ensure that such a history wouldn't repeat itself.

The coach's tone turned serious as he continued addressing the team, "We can't afford to forget that our remarkable win against Portugal will mean nothing if we fail to progress from the group stage. We must remain focused and committed as we approach the crucial upcoming days. Let's devote all our energy to preparing for our final group match against Spain so we can secure a place in the Round of Sixteen. We're on the brink of making history, and I have complete faith that we can achieve it!"

The players nodded in agreement, knowing that their coach was right. They knew they couldn't let their guard down now and had to give it their all in the last game.

Zachary also listened intently as the coach spoke, nodding at every word. As a seasoned professional footballer, he knew the stakes were high in the World Cup, and the Ivorian team couldn't afford to let their guard down for even a moment. The last game against Portugal had been a rollercoaster ride, with the ten-man Portuguese team putting up a brave fight in the second half. Zachary couldn't help but wonder how the game would have gone if the Portuguese hadn't received a red card early on. And with powerhouse teams like Brazil, France, Spain, England, Belgium, and Croatia still in the tournament, Zachary knew that the Ivorian team had to bring their A-game to every match.

Zachary was also fully aware of his crucial role in the team. His every move on the pitch would significantly impact Ivory Coast's upcoming World Cup matches — and although he couldn't control his teammates' performance on the field, he could take charge of his game and strive to become more efficient and clinical. Driven by such unwavering determination, Zachary was ready to push himself to the limit and leave no stone unturned in his quest for excellence. He was determined to make a lasting impression on the world stage, and nothing could deter him from trying his utmost to help Ivory Coast progress far in the World Cup.

The coach didn't waste any time before dismissing his already exhausted players. However, before calling it a day, he took a moment to appreciate the outstanding performances of a few players who contributed significantly to the team's victory. Among them were Zachary, Zaha, Nicolas Pépé, and Eric Bailly, who had played their hearts out on the field.

As the team boarded the bus that would take them back to their hotel in Moscow, they were greeted by a massive crowd of jubilant fans, waving flags and cheering loudly in appreciation of their victory. The players couldn't help but feel a sense of joy as they basked in the crowd's adoration. A few of them, including Bailly, Zaha, and Pépé, leaned out of the windows, waving back and soaking in the moment.

However, Zachary, who had exerted himself to the limit during the match, decided to take a breather and rest. He looked out of the bus window, taking in the sights and sounds of the city as they drove past. It was coming to 7:00 PM, but the Moscow streets were alive with activity, and the atmosphere was electric, especially with the excitement of the ongoing World Cup.

The Ivorian players soon arrived at the hotel. The hotel staff gave them a warm and welcoming reception as they made their way to the restaurant. The aroma of mouth-watering cuisine wafted through the air, enticing them to their reserved dining area.

Upon entering the restaurant, the team was greeted with a feast fit for royalty. The spread was magnificent, with succulent grilled meats, fresh salads bursting with vibrant colors and flavors, and decadent desserts that looked too good to be true. The players' eyes widened with delight as they took in the array of delectable dishes before them, causing their stomachs to grumble in anticipation.

Zachary was not an exception, as his mouth watered when he surveyed the delicious meal before him. He had played for over 90 minutes in the intense football match and looked forward to indulging in the delicious food. He eagerly joined his teammates at one of the tables and savored every bite as the cuisine flavors repeatedly exploded in his mouth.

While eating, he could hear the Ivorian players around him swapping stories, sharing laughs, and reliving the exhilarating moments of their victory against Portugal. The camaraderie was palpable, and the satisfaction was evident as he enjoyed every bite while basking in the company of his teammates.

After the satisfying meal, the Ivorian players promised their coach that they wouldn't drink alcohol and then headed to the hotel bar to watch the other Group B match between Iran and Spain. The stunning Russian waitresses and attentive waiters quickly tended to their every need, serving them refreshing non-alcoholic cocktails and snacks as they eagerly awaited the starting line-ups for the two teams to come up on the big flat screen.

Zachary was seated close to Bailly and Serge Aurier. The atmosphere in the bar was electric as the match was about to start. One of the servers promptly handed him a bottle of mineral water, which he gratefully accepted before turning his focus to the game. From the opening minutes, it was evident that the Spanish side was in a dominating position. They quickly overwhelmed the Iranian team, with Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, and Isco playing a brilliant midfield game. They moved around the pitch, exchanging Tiki-Taka touches and showcasing their impressive skills with effortless grace. And as if that wasn't enough, the Spanish midfielders also repeatedly linked up with the defenders to build up play slowly from the back before engaging the wingers to try and break through the Iranian defense. With their impressive performance, Spain dictated the tempo while dominating the game with over 70% possession.

Meanwhile, the Iranians remained hardworking and played as a team to thwart Spanish attacks. They put in a valiant effort, especially in defense, putting their bodies on the line to block shots and tackles. Upfront, they missed a few chances and had one of their goals ruled out by VAR. Ultimately, the Spaniards sealed their win with Diego Costa's 55th-minute goal, which finally broke the Iranian defense. Zachary was thoroughly impressed by Spain's ability to control the game using their Tiki-Taka style of play. Moreover, they seemed a much stronger side than Portugal.

As Zachary finally left the bar after the game, he felt a sense of unease at the prospect of facing such a challenging Spanish team in their last Group B game. Nevertheless, he was determined to do his utmost to help his team overcome them. He wanted to bring out his A-game in the final group match to ensure Ivory Coast qualified for the knockout stages.