The Voice In The Crowd - Leah Williamson

36. Sweden

Leah's POV.

As the final whistle blew, a wave of relief and pride washed over me. We had just finished a friendly match against Germany, and while the result was a solid 2-1 victory, what made this match truly unforgettable was seeing Sophia out there on the pitch in her England kit for the very first time.

Walking over to the sidelines, I couldn't help but beam with pride. She had been exceptional, not just in her performance but in her poise and determination. Watching her score that goal, her first for England, had been a moment of sheer joy. I remember the feeling of my heart swelling as the ball hit the back of the net, and then catching her eye as she turned, her face lit up with pure elation.

"Soph, you were amazing!" I said, pulling her into a hug as she joined me at the side of the pitch. "Welcome to the England scorers' club."

She laughed, still catching her breath, but her eyes sparkled with the same happiness I felt. "Thanks, Leah. It felt incredible."

The changing room was buzzing with energy, everyone congratulating Sophia on her debut goal. As captain, it felt particularly special to see how the team embraced her, welcoming her into the fold not just as a player but as part of our football family. We sat together for a while, sharing stories from the match and soaking in the moment.

Later that evening, after the adrenaline had settled, we found a quiet corner of the hotel lounge. We talked about everything - the game, her goal, and the journey that had brought us here. Sophia was still on a high, her face glowing with excitement.

"Leah, I can't believe it actually happened. I scored for England," she said, almost in disbelief.

"I never doubted you for a second," I replied, squeezing her hand. "This is just the beginning, Soph. There's so much more to come."

The next few days were a whirlwind of training sessions and preparation for our upcoming friendly against Sweden. The intensity was palpable, but there was also a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Sophia fit right in, her work ethic and talent shining through in every drill.

On the eve of the Sweden match, we had our final team meeting. Sarina ran through the game plan, emphasising the importance of maintaining our focus and building on the momentum from the Germany game. As captain, I took a moment to address the team, my heart swelling with pride not just for our recent win, but for the way we had come together.

"We showed a lot of character against Germany," I began, scanning the room. "Sophia's goal was a testament to the hard work and belief we have in each other. Tomorrow, let's bring that same energy and support to the pitch. Let's play for each other, for the fans, and for the pride of wearing this shirt. It might be a friendly but there's still standard to set."

The team responded with nods and murmurs of agreement, the atmosphere charged with determination.

That night, as Sophia and I walked back to our rooms, I could sense her excitement mixed with a touch of nervousness. I draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.

"You ready for tomorrow?" I asked.

She nodded, a confident smile playing on her lips. "With you by my side, always."

I smiled back, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and anticipation. As we approached our doors, I leaned in and kissed her gently on the forehead.

"Let's make tomorrow another day to remember," I whispered.

We parted ways for the night, both of us eager for what was to come. As I lay in bed, I couldn't help but reflect on how far we'd come and how much further we had to go. Leading this team was an honour, but sharing these moments with Sophia made it even more special. Tomorrow was a new challenge, but with her by my side, I felt ready to face anything.