Julian's POV

Today was the final day of the Copa America and it meant two things. One Julián was going up against Chile for the title and two he was finally able to meet the girl of his dreams, although he would deny it if anyone questioned him. Julián felt strangely good about today which is opposed to his normal anxiety. He thought his lack of worry was because his excitement of seeing Taylor outweighed his dark thoughts. He had so many plans for the two of them he knew it was unrealistic that they would be able to do all of them but a guy can dream.

Julián was standing in the tunnel with the rest of the Argentina team and the Chile team waiting to go out after the performance had finished. He usually never paid any attention to the songs at these types of things but the Argentine found himself listening to Selena Gomez's song, granted he couldn't tell you what song it was but given that she was Taylor's friend Julian felt like he should listen and be polite. As soon as Julián knew it, it was time to go onto the pitch.

Entering the pitch, he felt like a kid on christmas. The atmosphere at these massive games can either calm all nerves or break them. Seeing all the fans that traveled such distances to support and oppose them gave Julián a sense of pride that he wouldn't feel anywhere else in the world except on a football pitch. Lining up for the National Anthems gave the goalkeep a clear view of the stands, waves of light blue could be seen, massive flags were waving glory in the summer wind of New Jersey. As the Argentinian National Anthem played Julián was floating his eyes across all of the fans he could see the energy radiating off of them as they sang along loudly and proudly, he then spotted the VIP section recognizable by being filled with friends and family of the Argentina Team.

Sitting in the first row exactly as she promised was Taylor.

While singing Julián smiled widely making eye contact with the blonde, who was already looking at him.

As the song came to an end and the match was about to start the pair gave each other one last look and Taylor mouthed "Good Luck!". If Julián could have smiled wider he would. Moving to his goal post the whistle was blown signaling the start of the match.

The first half of the match was now over and Julian was sitting in the changing room half-listening to his coaches' talks. The first half had been energetic and explosive; the score was tied 0-0 but that didn't mean Julián didn't have his work cut out for him. He had saved about 10 shots on the goal already and more corner kicks; it was equally entertaining down at the other end as well with the Argentina forward trying their best to score as well. It was safe to say that morale was pretty low in the team.

After the talk which was just mainly to look everywhere and at the ball all at once, which was super helpful and informative, note the sarcasm. Julián was now sat with a physio to sort out a cramp in his leg before the team and to set off for the second half. He was just sitting on his phone mindlessly scrolling through instagram when he got a text notification.

Mariposa🦋

How's the game going?

Julián

you are at the game

Mariposa🦋

yh i know but i don't understand it

Julián

thats  reasonable 

it's going to hell

Mariposa🦋

yh i figured 😬

but you are playing amazingly and that isn't just my opinion

Julián

who's is it then?

Mariposa🦋

A lovely woman sat behind me. I think 

her name is Anto or something.

i heard one of her friends behind me say

 it while i eavesdropped

Julián

Oh, you mean Antonella?

yh she's great. She's leo's fiancee

their kids are adorable too

Mariposa🦋

i was kinda concerned when they started screaming 

about the goal being onside when it wasn't or something

i am still confused about what that is

Julián

that is something i cannot explain to you

 over text sadly i do not have enough time in the world for that

Mariposa🦋

i look forward for that chat

anyway she started talking to me just after half 

time and was asking about how you were

I told her you were dead. she seemed ok with that

Julián

oh yeah i forgot to tell you

i kinda told lionel about you

Mariposa🦋

oh thats fine

I have told a lot of people about you.

Julián

all good i hope?

Mariposa🦋

No.

I'm kidding

how you feeling

Julián

physically eh but mentally surprisingly ok

Mariposa🦋

oh are you ok?

Julián

ay okay

just a small cramp at that penalty we gave away but i saved it

Mariposa🦋

idk how you do this every week

it is so stressful and i barely understand it

Julián

i have been doing this since i was 4 you get used to it

Mariposa🦋

wtf

Julián didn't have the chance to reply to her though because the second half was about to commence.

Julian's worst fear came true. Penalties. After the initial 45 minute half still no goal was scored and even after the next 30 minutes of extra time with tensions at an all time high there was still no goal. So after that penalties become the deciding factor. Chile would be shooting first but it was in front of the Argentina fans so that gave him a reason to do his best.

The first shooter from the Chile team comes forward and Julián manages to save it.

0-0

Messi steps forward. the penalty is saved

0-0

Next one comes up for Chile. scores.

0-1

Mascherano goes up. scores

1-1

Third Chilean shoots. scores

1-2

Julián can feel the pressure rising with every penalty and the screams of cheers and abuse the fans spout fills his brain.

Aguero is up now, shoots and scores

2-2

Another Chile player shoots. Scores

2-3

Biglia steps forward. Misses

2-3

One shot left to determine the title

One shot Julián has to save to give Argentina a second chance.

One shot.

The player steps forward, shoots and...

Scores.

2-4 to Chile. Chile wins the Copa America and all Julián can feel is blame.

Walking out of the MetLife Stadium all Julián could see was darkness which was not surprising given that he was the last out of his teammates to leave. But what was surprising was finding the team coach not there and finding a white Audi in its place. What was even more surprising was the person leaning against the Audi.

"And I thought I took long in the shower" Taylor joked trying to lift some on the attention but all she got in response was a deep sigh, "Hey! none of that. remember what I told you on the pitch". She had never seen a 6'5 man give her the saddest puppy dog eyes ever but here they are standing in an abandoned car park. Taylor didn't really know what to do but something inside her told her she needed to protect him in a way. she didn't really understand her feelings but she knew what she was going to do.

"Let's go. I am going to make you dinner."

Author's note

This is very roughly edited so if you see any errors or anything that doesn't make sense please point them out for me.