The Final Countdown

Four days had slipped by like grains of sand through an hourglass, and now, it was finally Sunday, July 15th—the day of the World Cup final. 

The Ivory Coast players, who had trained and prepared arduously, were now in a pristine state of controlled anticipation. The day had finally arrived, and the tension in the air was noticeable all around them.

Zachary spent the morning in his hotel room, lost in the pages of a novel. The story helped to calm his nerves and distract him from the looming final. Occasionally, he paused to sip water, ensuring he remained well-hydrated. 

He also had his meals on time, knowing the importance of maintaining his physical readiness for the high-intensity game ahead. Periodically, he would chat with teammates like Zaha and Eric Bailly, sharing light-hearted jokes to shake off the anxiety.