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Today was the day Erling Haaland had to play Jude Bellingham.
Not just that, they both had to fight for their spot in the semi finals of the FIFA world cup 2026.
Maybe things would’ve been simpler if they were doing it for themselves, but they weren’t.
This was for their countries.
Haaland watches as Jude paces himself off of the pitch to have some water, during the fuck ass hydration break.
Mr brightside blasts from the speakers, and Haaland can’t help but roll his eyes.
It was always the same song.
The same song that was taunting him for what he couldn’t have; Bellingham.
And/or the world cup trophy, if he didn’t bring it home.
He’s got a girlfriend, or at least he had a girlfriend. She was a really nice but they didn’t seem to be spending as much time together.
“Guys, you don’t play football alone, you play it with a squad! So work as a team guys! We got this, hands in!” Our coach encourages us and we all put our hands in the center of our circle.
”3,2,1, Semifinals here we come!” The whole team shouts with determination and for a split second, Erling Haaland expects to break out into song.
He is surprisingly good at karaoke.
The hydration break ends and they hurry back onto the pitch, determination flowing in the air.
Haaland feels the ball go and come from his feet, losing himself on the pitch.
It was a place he felt truly at home.
Bellingham felt the same.
At least, he usually did but today was different.
Today he felt the pressure get to him, as much as he tried to brush it off.
A free kick to England.
Jude gets on the edge of the box, preparing for the goal.
All to familiar, blonde hair runs weirdly in front of him.
“You’re not on your A-game Jude,” the voice says and Jude tries to ignore him.
“I’m still good enough to beat you,” he responds and Erling chuckles under his breath.
Haaland could feel the pressure he was facing in his voice, unluckily for him, he was still the opposition.
”How’s your girlfriend?” Haaland teases.
”How’s yours?” Jude snaps and Erling scoffs.
At this rate there was only one way to truly catch him off guard.
“Why would I need a girlfriend when I have you breathing down my neck.”
Flirting.
Haaland’s guess was correct and Bellingham inhales a sharp breath and moves back, trying to get away from his marking.
England delivers the ball but it doesn’t go anywhere except off the pitch.
Haaland tuts before starting to walk off towards the Norway throw in but Jude stops him, grabbing his wrist.
“You won’t have anyone breathing down your neck when England moves up and knocks out your ass.”
Bellingham sprints off and Erling follows, running with his neck forward to make him aerodynamic, his blonde hair flowing like Sabrina Carpenters.
So that was how it was.
If that was really the case, Bellingham and England were going down.
Haaland was determined to put them in the ground.
- 36th Minute -
Bellingham couldn’t believe this.
Norway had scored and Haaland was grinning at him as if he’d just won the whole trophy.
Jude couldn’t believe this; Erling wasn’t even the one that scored!
“You started it,” Haaland taunts as he sprints past and Bellingham sighs with disbelief.
He would remind Haaland who he was playing.
He was playing the 3 lions!
What do Norway have on England?
Greggs sausage rolls? Nope.
Tescos? Nuh uh.
Miku? Not for long.
Bellingham follows the ball and time ticks by.
Every second felt like a year, yet every second where a goal wasn’t scored, was a second wasted.
Time was slow until it was over.
But Bellingham was not going to waste this.
It was officially the 45th minute, but 4 minutes had been added.
4 minutes to do something special.
He only needed 2.
The sweat was dripping down his face and he could really do with one of those hydration breaks; Mr brightside setting his focus straight.
He didn’t have that right now, he reminds himself.
What he did have was determination, his teammates and a ball at his feet.
Maybe that would be enough.
Jude feels the ball at his feet and consumes its rhythm, sinking into routine before shooting it towards the goal.
He scores.
The crowd roars with cheers and Harry Kane runs over to him, launching his body onto him as the other team mates pile onto him as well.
He scored for his country, but that wasn’t the only reason.
Haaland
But why did he matter?
Why did he feel more pride for getting back at Haaland than for doing his country proud.
It doesn’t matter.
What matters was that he scored.
They play the last 2 minutes of the first half with a burning hope and a burning desire to win.
The half time whistle blows and both teams walk off.
After talking with his team, Jude manages to get a couple of minutes alone in the private hallway.
Although it must’ve not been that private if Erling Haaland has found his way here.
“Good goal,” he smirks and leans against the wall, taking a sip from his water bottle.
“An eye for an eye,” Jude replies, watching Haaland quietly and he watches him back.
”You know,” Erling begins and Jude prepares himself for another challenge.
He will beat any challenge that comes his way, he’s doing it for England.
”I’ll be happy for you if you win,” he says and Jude jolts his head in shock.
”Wha- But you’ll lose?”
What is Haaland trying to do?
Was this a weird plan?
“I know that,” Erling states and Bellingham is even more confused. “But even then, I don’t want the outcome of this game to ruin what we have,”
Bellingham doesn’t know what to say.
He sounds so sincere.
Jude didn’t know if he could say the same.
”I want that to, but I don't think that’s realistic,” Jude admits and Haaland doesn’t reply, “We both need to win for our countries and losing is a big deal,”
”So? I thought we were a big deal,” Erling mumbles and Jude steps closer to him.
”Haaland… I want to be friends with you,” Bellingham sighs.
“But,” Haaland fills in the blank, still refusing to look at him.
“But, I won’t let my relationship with you get in the way of my playing abilities,” Bellingham just wants him to make eye contact.
”Erling,” he whispers and Haaland finally looks at him.
”I get it,” he tries to smile but fails.
Bellingham has to do something.
“How about we get dinner together tomorrow, that way we can’t hold a grudge for whatever happens,” Jude suggests.
”A date?” Haaland asks and Jude gets caught off guard.
”I- If you want it to be! It’s not like I like you or anything! But, sure! If you insist!” His cheeks heat up and the corners of Haaland’s lips tilt up into a smile.
”Okay, then it’s settled,” Erling says and Jude nods.
”Now time for me to beat your ass,” Jude counters and Haaland laughs.
”An eye for an eye,” he challenges and the players re unite with their teams.