Chapter 80 - 78 - The International Game

Chapter 80: Chapter 78 - The International Game

Kavuma-McQueen delivered the corner toward the penalty spot, where Korea’s centre-back rose above the nearest England player and headed clear.

The ball reached a midfielder outside the area, and Korea immediately broke forward.

England had committed several players to the corner, leaving their midfielders rushing to cover the space behind them. The Korean carried possession beyond halfway before a challenge forced him toward the right.

By the time the ball reached the winger, England’s defenders had recovered enough to prevent a direct run at goal, and the attack eventually ended with a cross that Dowell gathered.

Rafael moved back toward Korea’s defensive line as the goalkeeper prepared to restart.

A direct pass reached him near halfway with a centre-back already pressing tightly against his back.

Rafael widened his stance and tried to secure the ball, but the defender leaned into his shoulder and prevented him from turning.

He shifted his weight to the right, looking for room to bring the ball across his body, only for the Korean to follow and push him farther from the middle.

Alker moved closer, and Rafael laid the ball into his path before the defender could force him toward the touchline.

England switched play to Kavuma-McQueen, whose attempted pass into the area was intercepted.

As Korea carried possession out, the centre-back moved past Rafael on his way toward midfield.

The next time England recovered the ball, Rafael approached from the defender’s right side rather than standing directly in front of him.

Alker received near the centre circle and found Rafael’s feet as he moved across the Korean’s shoulder. With the defender still turning to follow, Rafael returned the pass first time and continued toward the penalty area.

England moved possession wide, where the right winger carried forward before being forced to play backwards.

Rafael adjusted his position as the ball travelled across the pitch.

Korea eventually recovered, and one of their centre-backs began carrying possession toward halfway.

Rafael moved across to press him, cutting off the easy return pass toward his defensive partner.

The Korean looked inside and found a midfielder standing between England’s first line of pressure and the deeper players.

Alker had been drawn toward another opponent.

The pass went through, allowing the receiver to turn and carry into England’s half.

Rafael abandoned his press and chased back, but Korea were already approaching the penalty area by the time their midfielder released possession toward the right.

The winger attempted to slip a pass between England’s full-back and centre-back, only for a defender to stretch across and knock it out for a throw.

As the players moved into position, Rafael looked toward Alker.

"Sam, he’s free inside!"

Alker glanced over his shoulder at the Korean midfielder.

"Yeah, I’ve got him."

Korea took the throw and worked possession backwards, moving the ball across their defensive line as England pushed up again.

Rafael approached the receiving centre-back from his right, keeping the return pass covered while the Korean opened his body and looked toward midfield.

Alker had stayed close to the player who received freely during the previous attack.

The centre-back hesitated and turned toward his full-back, but England’s winger was already closing him down.

The Korean controlled away from the touchline and tried to return the ball inside, where Alker stepped across the passing lane and intercepted.

Rafael was already turning when the ball reached his teammate.

Alker carried into the space ahead before releasing possession toward England’s right winger, who advanced to the edge of the box and drove a low cross toward the penalty spot.

Rafael accelerated between the defenders, but the nearest centre-back stretched out a foot and cleared before the delivery could reach him.

England recovered outside the area and continued attacking for another few moments before Korea finally forced possession back toward halfway.

Rafael jogged out of the box, breathing harder as he caught up with the defensive line.

He pulled at the front of his shirt and took a deeper breath while England’s midfielders exchanged passes.

When Alker next looked forward, Rafael moved between the centre-backs to receive.

The ball reached him with a defender closing from behind, and he attempted to turn as his first touch brought possession across his body.

The Korean stepped in quickly, pressing against him before he could get the ball out of his feet.

Rafael took the contact and redirected possession toward a teammate arriving from the right.

England continued the attack, although the eventual cross was blocked.

Korea cleared toward midfield, forcing Rafael to turn and follow play back up the pitch.

He started after the nearest defender but couldn’t match his earlier acceleration, so he eased off and recovered into position instead of chasing a challenge he was unlikely to reach.

England’s midfielders regained possession before Korea could advance.

Near the touchline, the fourth official was preparing the board.

The match was approaching stoppage time.

Korea pushed players forward again, but their next attack broke down when an England midfielder intercepted a pass outside his own penalty area.

He carried possession toward halfway and found Alker, who turned before the nearest Korean could challenge.

Kavuma-McQueen was available on the left.

Alker released the ball toward him, and the winger brought it under control before driving at his full-back.

Rafael moved toward the penalty area as Kavuma-McQueen advanced.

The Korean defender backed away at first, then stepped closer as the winger approached the corner of the box. Kavuma-McQueen shifted possession away from the challenge and carried it another couple of yards before slowing and drawing the ball across his body.

Rafael continued his run between the centre-backs, watching for a delivery.

Instead, Kavuma-McQueen looked up and struck.

The Korean full-back threw out a leg, but the shot had already risen beyond him and was travelling toward the far side of goal.

Rafael watched the goalkeeper push himself across.

The ball looked high enough to clear the crossbar, but it began dropping as the goalkeeper stretched toward the far corner.

His fingers couldn’t reach it, and the shot dipped beneath the bar before striking the inside of the net.

Kavuma-McQueen turned and sprinted toward the touchline with his arms spread, shouting as England’s substitutes rushed out to meet him.

Alker caught him first, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, and Rafael joined the others near the advertising boards as Alabi arrived from midfield.

The scorer was laughing by the time Rafael reached him, with several teammates crowding around and clapping him across the back.

Rafael caught Kavuma-McQueen around the shoulders before the referee began waving everyone toward halfway.

KOREA REPUBLIC 1–2 ENGLAND

Korea restarted quickly, sending a long pass toward their striker near the edge of England’s penalty area.

An England centre-back rose above him and headed clear, but Korea collected the second ball and attempted another delivery before the defensive line could move out.

The pass was intercepted, allowing England to carry possession toward halfway.

The referee checked his watch and blew for full-time.

FULL-TIME: KOREA REPUBLIC 1–2 ENGLAND

Rafael slowed near the centre circle and bent forward with his hands on his knees while his teammates began celebrating.

A Korean player was walking past when he straightened, so Rafael offered his hand before joining the others near the touchline.

Kavuma-McQueen was still receiving congratulations for the winner, while Alabi had several players around him discussing his long-range strike.

Dowell was speaking with the defenders who had spent much of the first half trying to deal with Korea’s attacks.

Rafael joined the group around Kavuma-McQueen before following the players toward the tunnel.

Alker caught up with him near the entrance and gave him a pat on the shoulder as they walked inside.

Greenwood was ahead of them with a few of the substitutes, laughing at something one of the others had said.

Rafael followed them into the changing room.

The changing room was noisy when the players returned, with Kavuma-McQueen still surrounded by teammates congratulating him on the winner.

Rafael found his place and sat down to remove his boots. His right calf had tightened slightly during the closing minutes, so he stretched it while reaching for his recovery drink.

Greenwood was talking with Alker nearby, and Rafael joined them briefly before the medical staff began organising the players.

Antwi congratulated the squad on their third consecutive victory and reminded them of the recovery arrangements. Saturday’s match would be their last of the tournament, and the staff wanted everyone available.

By the time the players returned to their accommodation later that afternoon, most had already eaten something and begun settling down.

Spain were playing Canada in the other group’s final fixture, and several England players had gathered downstairs to watch.

Rafael left his bag in his room before joining them.

Spain were leading 1–0 when Rafael entered the common area.

Alker was sitting beside Greenwood, with Kavuma-McQueen occupying a sofa across from them. Rafael took an empty chair and looked toward the television.

Canada were defending deep, leaving only one player near halfway whenever Spain attacked.

A graphic appeared showing that they had been reduced to ten men early in the first half.

"Red card?" Rafael asked.

Alker glanced over.

"Their keeper. Brought someone down when he was through."

Rafael nodded and returned his attention to the match.

Spain were moving possession across midfield, forcing Canada’s remaining players to shift from one side to the other. A Spanish midfielder received between two opponents and turned away from the nearest challenge before finding a teammate on the right.

The winger drove forward, but his attempted pass into the penalty area was intercepted.

Canada cleared and tried to counterattack, although they struggled to keep possession beyond halfway.

Rafael watched for another few minutes as Spain continued moving the ball around their opponents.

Late in the second half, Canada committed more players forward during one of their rare attacks, only to lose possession near Spain’s penalty area.

Spain broke through midfield and worked the ball toward the right before bringing it back inside.

Owen Emeka received outside the box and struck with his left foot, sending the ball into the top corner beyond the Canadian goalkeeper.

CANADA 0–2 SPAIN

Several England players reacted to the finish, and Kavuma-McQueen leaned forward to watch the replay.

Spain controlled the remaining minutes, and when the referee blew for full-time, England’s players began getting up.

Rafael collected his phone and followed Alker toward the dining area while a few teammates stayed behind, discussing the Spanish players they had recognised.

One of England’s staff members passed them near the doorway and confirmed that Thursday’s meeting would focus on their next opponents.

Rafael continued toward reception, where a tournament display had been updated.

He slowed when he saw the fixture and read it before catching up with Alker.

UEFA FRIENDSHIP CUP — FINAL

SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2026

ENGLAND vs SPAIN