A bouquet for Veronica Boquete and other emerging stars of this Women's World Cup
MONTREAL - As the full-time whistle went, the Spanish players slumped to the turf. Beaten narrowly by the Brazilians, they had played well, ran themselves into the ground, created chances and still lost. It was a bitter feeling. A kind of emptiness. But in amongst it, somewhere, was still something. In the wider context of this Women's World Cup, it made perfect sense.
All through the game, you couldn't help but follow the Spanish captain, Veronica Boquete, around the pitch. She marshaled her teammates, told them where they should pass the ball, delivered relentless encouragement and was her side's biggest offensive threat, always looking for openings, always looking to make something happen.
After the game, my eyes remained fixated on her. She struggled to her feet and began to applaud the contingent of Spanish fans on the other side of the pitch. She began to single out some Spanish fans and waved at them. She spotted some Spanish flags and saluted them. And then she began to walk towards them.
After hopping over the advertising hoardings, she embraced some supporters and spent the next 15 minutes signing anything that was thrown down from the stands. She stretched to take selfies, crouched on one knee to print her name on pieces of paper or match programs. She autographed the Spanish flags that were passed to her.
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It was remarkable. The pitch was deserted. Both teams, their management, the technical staff had all moved on. Not Boquete. She felt a duty to those around her. And as she finally, exhaustively, made her way towards the tunnel, she spotted another flag and tended to that one, too.
To many, it probably seemed an innocuous moment. To many, the more important detail was the paltry crowd inside the sprawling, imposing Olympic Stadium. But Boquete's behaviour represented a sweetness, an innocence that makes this tournament so special and makes you want to cheer and applaud in spite of the perceived setbacks and issues. Watching how the weekend's action unfolded, does the World Cup need full houses to be remembered and have an impact? It wouldn't hurt but memories are being made regardless.
On Saturday, the game-winner came courtesy of Andressa Alves, who carefully tapped home from close range after her initial effort had been brilliantly swept off the line by Celia Jiminez. As she raced to celebrate, her eyes glazed over. She struggled to understand what had just happened. As her teammates enveloped her, she placed her hands to her face and began to weep. It was uncontrollable. At 22, she had scored her very first World Cup goal and it was all a bit too much. Within moments, she'd composed herself. She held her arms out and pointed to the skies. It was a powerful and poignant moment.
Later in the day, 1,000 kilometres away, there was another one. As England struggled to find a way past Mexico, 21-year-old Fran Kirby stepped up and delivered. The youngster knows much about a kind of emptiness and the struggle to find the something. When she was 14, she watched as her mother suffered a brain hemorrhage. Three years later, Kirby went through a delayed-depression. Some days, she'd do well to get out of bed and get changed.
She quit soccer, despite being an England under-age international and tipped for senior stardom. After 12 months away from the game, she rekindled her love for it and slowly began to find her way back. Against Mexico, she proved the difference, her goal a sparkling display of individuality. But it meant so much more.
This tournament is a difficult sell. The poor crowds in Montreal was the subject of a recent report by the BBC. During Canada's game against New Zealand, a reporter visited the city's fan zone, only to find that very few fans were actually there. One man who was interviewed said the few that did visit were attracted to the loud music and didn't actually know anything about the World Cup taking place. It was a neat snapshot as to the wider ignorance that's out there. Even in the host cities, so many people remain uninterested and disconnected. And for those that have only a passing interest, it's easy to be cynical. There has been a litany of cricket scores, a smattering of dull non-events too.
But here's the thing. Even in the kind of emptiness, there's still something. There's Norway's Ada Hegerberg conjuring a sublime pirouette against Thailand. There's Lena Goessling's collection of assists for Germany in their thumping win over Cote d'Ivoire. There are the stunning strikes from Eugenie le Sommer, Lieke Martens and Maren Mjelde. There are Hope Solo's saves and Hedvig Lindahl, too. There's the age-defying Formiga against South Korea and Marta's audacious skill against Spain. There's the noise and colour of the Thailand supporters. There's Ainhoa Tirapu's fingertips. There's Asisat Oshoala and that dance at the corner flag.
And there's more up ahead.
