[Libertas Omnium Maximus]

Final Match
10/13

XMA v LAU
In IDUFC history, there have been few matches as heavily anticipated or as history-defining as the Xiomera v Lauchenoiria confrontation. On one side of the pitch, a representative of the continent of Caxcana and the culminating product of Xiomeran meritocracy stood poised to strike, like a viper in the reeds. Opposite the Xiomerans stood the tournament’s dark-horse, the Lauchenoirians, representing the continent of Hesperida and underdogs the word over. Rivals on the pitch and, increasingly, in the political realm, the gravity of this final showdown could be seen reflected in the stern scowls and grimaces of both Xiomeran and Lauchenoirian competitors as they shook hands before the whistle, preparing to engage in one of (if not the single most) monumental matches of their careers. The match began with some of the highest caliber of athleticism and finesse we have seen this tournament, and neither team let off the throttle for the duration of the fight. Make no mistake, it was a fight, and a high scoring one, at that. Tetli, a rising-star Xiomeran midfielder, scored the first goal in the 25th minute, receiving a pass from Cozcatzin, who stripped the ball from Lauchenoirian possession. Seven minutes later, the Xiomerans once again scored, with Hualquina receiving a throw-in from Cuhzompal and chipping the ball into the goal, just out of reach of Lino Chavarría. At half time, spirits in the Lauchenoirian supporter’s section were at an all time low, but their sighs quickly turned to enthusiastic whoops as the Xiomeran team began to run out of steam. A lethargic kick by Etzauhtlel, which was easily intercepted by Chavarría at minute 48, revealed the first signs of weakness in the Xiomeran assault, a chink in the armor which the Lauchenoirians were fast to exploit. Lauchenoirian defender Orellana scored against Atzipal during a free kick following the carding of Cozcatzin for an overly aggressive tackle, bringing the score to 2-1, in the 52nd minute. Nine minutes later, the Lauchenoirians tied the match. Reed Brandon, shooting from well outside of the goal box, scored a long-distance goal, leaving Xiomeran defenders and members of his own team left in a flabbergasted daze for a few moments. By sheer force of will, the Lauchenoirians had offset a two point goal deficit in just nine minutes flat. Scrambling to regain control of a game which had initially appeared to be theirs for the taking, the Xiomerans returned to the attack, winning the face-off following Brandon’s goal, but were unable to make it through the Lauchenoirian defensive line. Right until the very end, the fate of the championship hung in the balance. As the 80th minute turned to the 81st, an eerie silence fell about the stadium. The match’s deciding moment came, as so many historic events have come, from a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it error, a stumble by Tochtli, allowing Lauchenoirian attacker Stewart Steffen to break away with the ball and boot it into the Xiomeran goal. The roar which erupted from the stands following Steffen’s goal, a mix of curses and praise, was deafening. Although the Xiomerans desperately fought to regain their advantage, or at least return to a tie, there was simply not enough time left in the match. The Lauchenoirians won the 2022 IDUFC grand final 3-to-2. Shocking no one, a number of rowdy Xiomeran and Lauchenoirian fans began to spar as soon as the final whistle blew, in a shouting match that was quickly terminated by stadium officials as soon as the first punches were thrown, but the majority of spectators, Xiomeran and Lauchenoirian, alike, remained in a sort of stunned silence. The Xiomerans quietly filtered out of the stadium over the following minutes, while Lauchenoirian spectators, gradually recovering from the shocking victory, resumed their earlier cheering. Green and white confetti was dumped on the arena and a number of distressed Xiomeran players could be seen angrily flicking paper shreds from their hair and shoulders as they left the pitch. The time of the Xiomerans may come, but not this year. Tomorrow, the solid silver IDU Football Championship Trophy will accompany the Butterflies on their return trip to Buttercity. Until then, the Lauchenoirian national football team will get to enjoy one evening in Litudinem as champions.

Bracket (after Finals)