Just realized I never posted this... orz
Groups 3: France vs. South Africa, Nigeria vs. South Korea, Greece vs. Argentina, Slovenia vs. England, USA vs. Algeria, Ghana vs. Germany, Australia vs. Serbia, Slovakia vs. Italy, New Zealand vs. Paraguay, Denmark vs. Japan, Cameroon vs. Netherlands, Spain vs. Chile, Switzerland vs. Honduras.
Word Count: 2,112
France 1-2 South Africa
France stared at the field in disgust. He didn’t know what he hated more at this moment, the players, the coach, South Africa, the game, or himself. He was willing to settle for a combination of all of the above. At least he was able to score one goal, but really, that just wasn’t enough.
South Africa was glaring at him on the other side of the field, triumphant look on the host country’s face. At least he was able to let the host snag a victory, but when was the last time the host didn't advance?
Either way, France wasn’t looking forward to what England, Prussia, and Spain had to say about this, or about flying home coach.
Nigeria 2-2 South Korea
“Yes!” Korea cheered. A tie. Not the win he was hoping for, but it was close enough, unless Greece managed to beat Argentina. That would be an absolute downer on his parade.
He looked expectantly at the guy on the bench keeping track of Greece’s game. He grinned back and gave the nation a thumbs up. Greece had lost. South Korea and Argentina were in.
Korea’s cheer outshone the vuvuzelas and was heard all the way in China. His brother quickly phoned to congratulate him and told him to keep it down, because he was sleeping.
Greece 0-2 Argentina
Greece stared at the smirking Argentina. The South American was already going on despite the outcome, but he found out too late that didn’t mean Argentina would go easy on him. Not that Greece knew anyone in this thing that would have done that, including himself, he was just disappointed about going home already.
It was a fun run though, and who knows? Maybe they’d let him stay to cheer on Japan.
Slovenia 0-1 England
“DO YOU SEE THIS?!” England shouted in Slovenia’s defeated face, “THIS IS WHY I AM THE CHAMPION! YOU DO NOT MESS WITH THE CHAMPION!”
“You want to shout that a little louder, Angleterre?” France scoffed, jealously, “I’m trying to watch the end of Amerique’s game.”
“You’re just jealous that America and I get to advance and you don’t.”
“Not necessarily. You know America hasn’t scored yet…” the frog smirked, glad for some company on the flight home, even if it was American.
“What are you talking about? He’s probably scored by now.”
“Non, take a look,” England and Slovenia leaned over France’s shoulder to see his cell. The other game in Group C was indeed still scoreless, “Well, by defeating Slovenia, it looks like you made it harder for America to advance…”
“Serves him right!” the English nation scoffed, “He only drew with me thanks to a lucky goal…it’s just karma, for him being so cocky.”
“You were the only one acting cocky in this group,” Slovenia muttered.
“He scored before,” France explained, “but it wasn't allowed again…”
“Che,” England crossed his arms and pretended to be disinterested with what was happening on the screen, but secretly cheering America on.
USA 1-0 Algeria
To say America was pissed when his perfectly legit and brilliant goal was declared illegal again was an understatement, but no nation had actually been thrown out of the World Cup yet for murdering a ref, and America didn’t want to be the first. So he sat back and waited for another chance like that to be allowed.
And waited.
And waited some more.
They were now in stoppage time and Algeria was smirking at him.
“A tie doesn’t benefit you either you know!” the African’s smirk just grew and he knew that Algeria didn’t care if he couldn’t advance as long he made sure America didn’t. Jerk, but he also knew America would do the same if the situations were reversed.
Instead of continuing the staring contest with Algeria like he wanted to, America opted to turn back to the field just in time to watch the ball sail into the goal. The ball kicked off Donovan’s foot, into Algeria’s goal.
It took a few seconds for that to compute in his head, but when it did, shouting and screaming and a little bit of crying (but they were manly tears) ensued.
A Hollywood Ending they were calling it, and America couldn’t agree more.
Ghana 0-1 Germany
Well, they had done it. Despite a few yellow setbacks, Germany had won the group, splendidly, he might add.
Prussia had already tackle hugged him and started shouting in his ear, making plans to buy the whole country drinks for the rest of the night. Germany considered stopping him, as spending that kind of money was irresponsible, but figured what they hey; today was a day for celebrating.
“Oi Kraut,” an English voice called to him from the door of the locker room. Germany disentangled himself from his brother to go talk to England.
“Congrats on winning your group, I suppose,” the blonde nation didn’t like the smirk on England’s face, “of course, now that means you’ll have to face me,” it was far more confident than it had any right to be.
“I don’t see the problem there,” Germany knew he’d have fun wiping it from the so called creator’s face.
Australia 2-0 Serbia
Australia sighed in the locker room. He still hadn’t moved, even though the match ended hours ago. Germany had only scored one goal against Ghana. If only he’d scored another. That would have made up the goal differential and…
Bah, he’d done all that awesome, but still lost out to that fail in the beginning. What a waste.
“Australia?” the nation in question looked up to see that New Zealand had snuck in front of him, “You going to be alright?”
He looked at his brother and saw worry in his eyes. That wasn’t right though, because he had his own match tomorrow. He shouldn’t waste time worrying about him when he still had a chance.
Australia ruffled New Zealand’s hair, “Yeah kid, I’m gonna be okay.”
Slovakia 3-2 Italy
“N-no…” Italy sunk down to his knees, “w-we can’t…i-it’s impossible…” he slammed a frustrated fist into the ground as the first tears started falling, “There’s no way we could have lost!”
He slammed his head into the ground and rubbed it in the dirt, falling tears turning it into mud, “No no no no no!”
Suddenly, Italy felt a warm embrace around him. The younger Italy looked up to find his brother, trying to hold back his own tears and look comforting, and opted to buried his face into Romano’s shirt and cry there instead.
“Ch-cheer up, Veneciano,” Romano muttered in what was supposed to be a comforting tone, “I-it’s not the end of the world…”
“W-we lost, Romano…we actually lost…”
“There are worse things, little brother.”
“We’re last in the group…”
“E-even so…at least we’re not France.”
“No…he has an excuse…” Italy started sobbing and ineffectually pounding his fist into his brother’s shoulder. Suddenly, Italy felt wetness on his head and vaguely wondered where it came from.
“D-don’t cry Veneciano…” he heard Romano mutter in his ear, “p-please…I don’t like it when you cry like this.”
Italy pulled way to see that his brother’s tears had finally spilled over as well.
“Ve, Fratello,” he reached forward to run a thumb across Romano’s cheek and wipe away his tears, “I don’t like it when you cry like this either.”
“Sh-shut up bastard…” he sniffled, “I-I’m not crying…I just don’t want you to feel bad, sitting on the field, crying all by yourself.”
“Ve, it’s okay,” Italy hugged his brother, “we can cry together. Spain and Germany don’t have to find out…”
Romano sobbed and buried his head into Italy’s shoulder to cry his heart out, and felt his brother do the same.
Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand
Another tie. Well, it was better than a loss, though it was still weird going home without actually losing a game, New Zealand shrugged. It was depressing, but those were the facts of life, or at least, the facts of the World Cup.
“Hey New Zealand!” Australia shouted at him when he exited the locker room, “Congrats on not losing mate! Let’s celebrate!”
“But…I didn’t win. And I’m going home.”
“Yeah, but you got so close! Just one goal away! And besides, you did awesome mate! We need to celebrate that at least.”
“I think you’re just looking for an excuse to celebrate.”
“Not just any reason,” he jerked a thumb over his shoulder at England, who was already drinking heavily, and America, who was laughing rather loudly, “A reason that isn’t centered on them. They agreed to celebrate you for a change, so let’s take advantage of that, eh?” he winked.
New Zealand blushed at the fact that they were going to pay attention to him for once, even if it was just for a night.
“Hey Canada!” America shouted as he waved them over. “Come on! We gotta get there before Slovakia and his peeps take over the bar!”
“Yeah, c’mon Australia, and bring yer clone with ya!” England shouted.
Well, that was close enough, New Zealand sighed as he went off with his surrogate family.
Denmark 1-3 Japan
“Noooooooooooooooooooooo!” Denmark shouted as he collapsed into the dirt, “I was so close!”
Japan stood awkwardly next to him. “I’m sorry you lost.”
“If you were really sorry, you’d have let me win,” he whined, “C’mon, a tie would have done it for you. Were the three goals necessary?”
“I…suppose not. I’m quite sorry for the inconvenience.”
“You should be…crushing my hopes like that,” a smirk appeared on his face as he stood up and leaned over the smaller nations, “I expect compensation, if you know what I mean.”
“I don’t see why I have to pay you anything.”
“You don’t do you? Well I - ow!” Norway had appeared over his shoulder with a baseball bat and gave him a swift whack to the head.
“You lost. It happens,” he explained as he pulled the other Scandinavian away, “get over it. Japan owes you nothing.”
“Congratulations for you win Japan,” Finland smiled as Sweden nodded, “we all hope you do well in the round of 16.”
“You probably won’t get very far after that,” Iceland taunted over his shoulder as the Nordics walked away.
Well, if that’s what they thought, Japan would just have to prove them wrong.
Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands
“Not necessary,” Netherlands complained as he lit his pipe.
“What wasn’t?” Cameroon responded.
“You putting up a fight like that,” he exhaled smoke that drifted towards the ceiling, “that just wasn’t necessary.”
“Well, if you’re going to represent the group, I want to make sure you go all the way.”
Some more smoke was exhaled, but more in a contemplative manner.
“Of course I’ll win. This is my year after all.”
Spain 2-1 Chile
“Oh cheer up my little henchman,” Spain said as he panted Chile’s head, “you still get to go on to the next round if Switzerland still failed to score.”
“He did,” Chile sighed and batted his hand away, “And I’m not your henchman!” The South American got up and wandered away.
Spain was about to chase after Chile until a head but to the gut stopped him.
“Ah, Romano!” he smiled as he hugged his favorite, “Did you see Boss play magnificently?”
“I saw you wander around the field and get two lucky shots in,” Romano said as he broke out of the embrace.
“Oh, Romano, why so mean? Is it because you-”
“Don’t! Say it.” The Italian sat done on the bench next to Spain, “Oi, bastard.”
“Yes?”
“There’s been enough loss on our side of the continent,” Romano muttered as he turned to face Spain with a rare serious look in his eyes, “Don’t mess up.”
“Don’t worry Romano,” the Spaniard’s smile had a slight edge to it this time, “I won’t lose again. Boss won’t let you down.”
Switzerland 0-0 Honduras
“You…” Switzerland ground out. He missed having a gun at his side, they were so useful in times like these, but apparently not even nations were allowed weapons at these things.
“Me,” Honduras answered with a smirk.
“Nothing would have changed if you had won! This tie does nothing for you!”
“Of course not, but no one gets out of the group stages without earning it,” his smile, sarcastic or otherwise, was gone; “Did you actually expect me to just let you win? Even if you beat Spain, he’s not the top of this sport. You wouldn’t have stood a chance against Brazil.”
“And you think Chile does?”
“Nope.”
“Then why-”
“Why not?”
Switzerland really wanted a gun right now, but a fist could get the job done just as well.
“Just wait until next time.”
Word Count: 2,112
France 1-2 South Africa
France stared at the field in disgust. He didn’t know what he hated more at this moment, the players, the coach, South Africa, the game, or himself. He was willing to settle for a combination of all of the above. At least he was able to score one goal, but really, that just wasn’t enough.
South Africa was glaring at him on the other side of the field, triumphant look on the host country’s face. At least he was able to let the host snag a victory, but when was the last time the host didn't advance?
Either way, France wasn’t looking forward to what England, Prussia, and Spain had to say about this, or about flying home coach.
Nigeria 2-2 South Korea
“Yes!” Korea cheered. A tie. Not the win he was hoping for, but it was close enough, unless Greece managed to beat Argentina. That would be an absolute downer on his parade.
He looked expectantly at the guy on the bench keeping track of Greece’s game. He grinned back and gave the nation a thumbs up. Greece had lost. South Korea and Argentina were in.
Korea’s cheer outshone the vuvuzelas and was heard all the way in China. His brother quickly phoned to congratulate him and told him to keep it down, because he was sleeping.
Greece 0-2 Argentina
Greece stared at the smirking Argentina. The South American was already going on despite the outcome, but he found out too late that didn’t mean Argentina would go easy on him. Not that Greece knew anyone in this thing that would have done that, including himself, he was just disappointed about going home already.
It was a fun run though, and who knows? Maybe they’d let him stay to cheer on Japan.
Slovenia 0-1 England
“DO YOU SEE THIS?!” England shouted in Slovenia’s defeated face, “THIS IS WHY I AM THE CHAMPION! YOU DO NOT MESS WITH THE CHAMPION!”
“You want to shout that a little louder, Angleterre?” France scoffed, jealously, “I’m trying to watch the end of Amerique’s game.”
“You’re just jealous that America and I get to advance and you don’t.”
“Not necessarily. You know America hasn’t scored yet…” the frog smirked, glad for some company on the flight home, even if it was American.
“What are you talking about? He’s probably scored by now.”
“Non, take a look,” England and Slovenia leaned over France’s shoulder to see his cell. The other game in Group C was indeed still scoreless, “Well, by defeating Slovenia, it looks like you made it harder for America to advance…”
“Serves him right!” the English nation scoffed, “He only drew with me thanks to a lucky goal…it’s just karma, for him being so cocky.”
“You were the only one acting cocky in this group,” Slovenia muttered.
“He scored before,” France explained, “but it wasn't allowed again…”
“Che,” England crossed his arms and pretended to be disinterested with what was happening on the screen, but secretly cheering America on.
USA 1-0 Algeria
To say America was pissed when his perfectly legit and brilliant goal was declared illegal again was an understatement, but no nation had actually been thrown out of the World Cup yet for murdering a ref, and America didn’t want to be the first. So he sat back and waited for another chance like that to be allowed.
And waited.
And waited some more.
They were now in stoppage time and Algeria was smirking at him.
“A tie doesn’t benefit you either you know!” the African’s smirk just grew and he knew that Algeria didn’t care if he couldn’t advance as long he made sure America didn’t. Jerk, but he also knew America would do the same if the situations were reversed.
Instead of continuing the staring contest with Algeria like he wanted to, America opted to turn back to the field just in time to watch the ball sail into the goal. The ball kicked off Donovan’s foot, into Algeria’s goal.
It took a few seconds for that to compute in his head, but when it did, shouting and screaming and a little bit of crying (but they were manly tears) ensued.
A Hollywood Ending they were calling it, and America couldn’t agree more.
Ghana 0-1 Germany
Well, they had done it. Despite a few yellow setbacks, Germany had won the group, splendidly, he might add.
Prussia had already tackle hugged him and started shouting in his ear, making plans to buy the whole country drinks for the rest of the night. Germany considered stopping him, as spending that kind of money was irresponsible, but figured what they hey; today was a day for celebrating.
“Oi Kraut,” an English voice called to him from the door of the locker room. Germany disentangled himself from his brother to go talk to England.
“Congrats on winning your group, I suppose,” the blonde nation didn’t like the smirk on England’s face, “of course, now that means you’ll have to face me,” it was far more confident than it had any right to be.
“I don’t see the problem there,” Germany knew he’d have fun wiping it from the so called creator’s face.
Australia 2-0 Serbia
Australia sighed in the locker room. He still hadn’t moved, even though the match ended hours ago. Germany had only scored one goal against Ghana. If only he’d scored another. That would have made up the goal differential and…
Bah, he’d done all that awesome, but still lost out to that fail in the beginning. What a waste.
“Australia?” the nation in question looked up to see that New Zealand had snuck in front of him, “You going to be alright?”
He looked at his brother and saw worry in his eyes. That wasn’t right though, because he had his own match tomorrow. He shouldn’t waste time worrying about him when he still had a chance.
Australia ruffled New Zealand’s hair, “Yeah kid, I’m gonna be okay.”
Slovakia 3-2 Italy
“N-no…” Italy sunk down to his knees, “w-we can’t…i-it’s impossible…” he slammed a frustrated fist into the ground as the first tears started falling, “There’s no way we could have lost!”
He slammed his head into the ground and rubbed it in the dirt, falling tears turning it into mud, “No no no no no!”
Suddenly, Italy felt a warm embrace around him. The younger Italy looked up to find his brother, trying to hold back his own tears and look comforting, and opted to buried his face into Romano’s shirt and cry there instead.
“Ch-cheer up, Veneciano,” Romano muttered in what was supposed to be a comforting tone, “I-it’s not the end of the world…”
“W-we lost, Romano…we actually lost…”
“There are worse things, little brother.”
“We’re last in the group…”
“E-even so…at least we’re not France.”
“No…he has an excuse…” Italy started sobbing and ineffectually pounding his fist into his brother’s shoulder. Suddenly, Italy felt wetness on his head and vaguely wondered where it came from.
“D-don’t cry Veneciano…” he heard Romano mutter in his ear, “p-please…I don’t like it when you cry like this.”
Italy pulled way to see that his brother’s tears had finally spilled over as well.
“Ve, Fratello,” he reached forward to run a thumb across Romano’s cheek and wipe away his tears, “I don’t like it when you cry like this either.”
“Sh-shut up bastard…” he sniffled, “I-I’m not crying…I just don’t want you to feel bad, sitting on the field, crying all by yourself.”
“Ve, it’s okay,” Italy hugged his brother, “we can cry together. Spain and Germany don’t have to find out…”
Romano sobbed and buried his head into Italy’s shoulder to cry his heart out, and felt his brother do the same.
Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand
Another tie. Well, it was better than a loss, though it was still weird going home without actually losing a game, New Zealand shrugged. It was depressing, but those were the facts of life, or at least, the facts of the World Cup.
“Hey New Zealand!” Australia shouted at him when he exited the locker room, “Congrats on not losing mate! Let’s celebrate!”
“But…I didn’t win. And I’m going home.”
“Yeah, but you got so close! Just one goal away! And besides, you did awesome mate! We need to celebrate that at least.”
“I think you’re just looking for an excuse to celebrate.”
“Not just any reason,” he jerked a thumb over his shoulder at England, who was already drinking heavily, and America, who was laughing rather loudly, “A reason that isn’t centered on them. They agreed to celebrate you for a change, so let’s take advantage of that, eh?” he winked.
New Zealand blushed at the fact that they were going to pay attention to him for once, even if it was just for a night.
“Hey Canada!” America shouted as he waved them over. “Come on! We gotta get there before Slovakia and his peeps take over the bar!”
“Yeah, c’mon Australia, and bring yer clone with ya!” England shouted.
Well, that was close enough, New Zealand sighed as he went off with his surrogate family.
Denmark 1-3 Japan
“Noooooooooooooooooooooo!” Denmark shouted as he collapsed into the dirt, “I was so close!”
Japan stood awkwardly next to him. “I’m sorry you lost.”
“If you were really sorry, you’d have let me win,” he whined, “C’mon, a tie would have done it for you. Were the three goals necessary?”
“I…suppose not. I’m quite sorry for the inconvenience.”
“You should be…crushing my hopes like that,” a smirk appeared on his face as he stood up and leaned over the smaller nations, “I expect compensation, if you know what I mean.”
“I don’t see why I have to pay you anything.”
“You don’t do you? Well I - ow!” Norway had appeared over his shoulder with a baseball bat and gave him a swift whack to the head.
“You lost. It happens,” he explained as he pulled the other Scandinavian away, “get over it. Japan owes you nothing.”
“Congratulations for you win Japan,” Finland smiled as Sweden nodded, “we all hope you do well in the round of 16.”
“You probably won’t get very far after that,” Iceland taunted over his shoulder as the Nordics walked away.
Well, if that’s what they thought, Japan would just have to prove them wrong.
Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands
“Not necessary,” Netherlands complained as he lit his pipe.
“What wasn’t?” Cameroon responded.
“You putting up a fight like that,” he exhaled smoke that drifted towards the ceiling, “that just wasn’t necessary.”
“Well, if you’re going to represent the group, I want to make sure you go all the way.”
Some more smoke was exhaled, but more in a contemplative manner.
“Of course I’ll win. This is my year after all.”
Spain 2-1 Chile
“Oh cheer up my little henchman,” Spain said as he panted Chile’s head, “you still get to go on to the next round if Switzerland still failed to score.”
“He did,” Chile sighed and batted his hand away, “And I’m not your henchman!” The South American got up and wandered away.
Spain was about to chase after Chile until a head but to the gut stopped him.
“Ah, Romano!” he smiled as he hugged his favorite, “Did you see Boss play magnificently?”
“I saw you wander around the field and get two lucky shots in,” Romano said as he broke out of the embrace.
“Oh, Romano, why so mean? Is it because you-”
“Don’t! Say it.” The Italian sat done on the bench next to Spain, “Oi, bastard.”
“Yes?”
“There’s been enough loss on our side of the continent,” Romano muttered as he turned to face Spain with a rare serious look in his eyes, “Don’t mess up.”
“Don’t worry Romano,” the Spaniard’s smile had a slight edge to it this time, “I won’t lose again. Boss won’t let you down.”
Switzerland 0-0 Honduras
“You…” Switzerland ground out. He missed having a gun at his side, they were so useful in times like these, but apparently not even nations were allowed weapons at these things.
“Me,” Honduras answered with a smirk.
“Nothing would have changed if you had won! This tie does nothing for you!”
“Of course not, but no one gets out of the group stages without earning it,” his smile, sarcastic or otherwise, was gone; “Did you actually expect me to just let you win? Even if you beat Spain, he’s not the top of this sport. You wouldn’t have stood a chance against Brazil.”
“And you think Chile does?”
“Nope.”
“Then why-”
“Why not?”
Switzerland really wanted a gun right now, but a fist could get the job done just as well.
“Just wait until next time.”