For such a historic achievement, it wasn’t quite the celebration the Lopez family would have had back home, in Valencia.
In Spain, she said, a World Cup victory would have filled the streets with thousands of people, giant screens, flags, cars honking and celebrations stretching late into the night.
“Here, I don’t know how to celebrate,” she said.
After moving from Spain to Napier about 18 months ago with her husband Rafael Andres and their four children, the family found themselves celebrating one of Spain’s biggest sporting moments on their own.
The match kicked off at 7am on a Monday in New Zealand, but that didn’t stop the household from making it a priority.
Carina, who works as a midwife, had organised to have the day off while Rafael worked remotely for his Spanish company.
Their children, aged 10, 14, 17 and 20, delayed school and lectures at EIT so they could all watch together at home.
Although she said she wasn’t usually a football fan, the World Cup felt different.
“I’m so excited … I woke up early today to watch with the kids, and they were so happy,” she said.
“They were so excited and even crying. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen my eldest crying.”
Emma, left, Eric, Noah, Carina, Christian and Rafael celebrate in the living room of their Napier home after Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The family spent the match video-calling and messaging relatives in Spain, reacting to every controversial decision together.
Despite the victory, Carina said one thing was missing.
“When you are happy, you need to share with someone.”
She estimated there were only about 40 Spaniards living in Hawke’s Bay and hoped to organise a get-together with some of them at some point this week.
“In the meantime, we don’t know what to do. Kids are at school. Shall we wait for them to go for lunch? I don’t know what to do,” she said.
“There aren’t many people to share the happiness of victory here. You got that feeling that you are alone.”
She joked she might have to settle for celebrating with Argentinian friends, although she believed their answer would be “maybe another time”.
Carina has not only friends from their World Cup rivals but also Argentinian brothers, so she said she wouldn’t be giving anyone a hard time.
“I’m like, sorry, but not sorry,” she laughed.
Rafaella Melo has more than 10 years of experience as a journalist in Brazil. She has worn many hats, from radio and TV presenter and producer to magazine editor before joining the Hawke’s Bay Today team as a multimedia journalist.