An England superfan suffered penalty heartbreak after missing a spot kick during one of the competition's early challenges after taking tips from Gary Lineker, who famously experienced his own World Cup penalty heartbreak at Italia '90.
Rakia ‘Kia’ Ali flew the flag for the nation in Wise's Ultimate Fan competition, where supporters from across the world battled it out in football trivia, skills challenges and high-pressure tests for the chance to win a $10,000 prize.
The competition saw die-hard fans put through their paces in a series of football-themed challenges, including one that required competitors to answer a football question before taking a penalty. The competition culminated with the eventual finalists facing former USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Football legend Gary Lineker, who scored four out of his five England penalties, was also on hand to help supporters hit the back of the net. Kia later admitted she missed her penalty during one of the competition's early challenges despite receiving advice from Lineker.
Lineker has publicly admitted he handed goalkeeper Peter Shilton the wrong tactics before the semi final against Germany.
Kia represented England in the international competition, while 27-year-old Brazilian Caio Takemura Feitosa da Silva, who lives in New York, ultimately won the title.
Kia said: "Meeting Gary Lineker was so cool. I told my parents straight away and they were so jealous.
"I couldn't believe I actually got to have a conversation with him. What a guy - he's a legend.
"The challenges were so much fun and everyone gave it everything they had.
"My least favourite challenge had to be the first one because we had to answer a question and then take a penalty. I missed my penalty as well, so that wasn't great for the team.
"We all did so well, but it just wasn't meant to be."
Kia’s football obsession began at school - and it was Manchester United who quickly stole her heart.
She said: “Football was the one sport I just fell in love with because you're part of a team, it's very competitive, and I thought, 'this is the sport for me’.
“Manchester United were the first team I remember watching on TV, and I said I was going to support them as a kid, and I've stuck with it. Here I am today.
“Playing on the pitch at Old Trafford is my favourite memory, hands down.”
“That is my favourite memory, hands down."
The United fan has followed her club across Europe - including embarking on a journey across through Spain to watch them play.
“We literally travelled so far to watch Manchester United,” said Kia.
“Flights are so expensive whenever there's a European fixture, so we got a flight to Malaga and then had to sit on a coach for like three hours all the way to Seville.
“That day I was thinking, 'What am I actually doing?' But it was all worth it in the end."
“It's not even that bad.
“Some people drove to Seville, so that's commitment.
“That's probably the craziest thing I've done."
Kia said her friends and family know exactly how much football means to her.
She added: “I definitely think my friends and family would say that I'm obsessed with football but there's nothing wrong with that.”
Before heading to New York, Kia admitted she could hardly believe she had been chosen to represent England.
She said: “I was shocked and so happy.
“I've never even been to America and it's been a dream of mine to go, so it's definitely been a highlight of my year already.
“It means a lot to represent England and hopefully they can go all the way this World Cup and bring it home.”
The Wise Ultimate Fan competition brought together supporters from around the world to test their football knowledge, skills and nerve under pressure.
Brazilian fan Caio Takemura Feitosa da Silva ultimately walked away with the title of World’s Ultimate Fan and the $10,000 cash prize.
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