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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Chris Thompson

Kylian Mbappé holds up two fingers to signify two goals scored.

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Soccer

Kylian Mbappé Scores Two Lovely Goals As France Puts Away Poland

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Ray Ratto

Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts at the final whistle after a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USMNT at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. He's dejected with his head in shirt and the USMNT just got a thorough drubbing.

Sad Americans

To Nobody’s Surprise, The Americans Deliver No Surprises

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Albert Burneko

Japanese players celebrate their Group E win over Spain

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Japan Is The Best Kind Of World Cup Killer

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Luis Paez-Pumar

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between France and Denmark at Stadium 974 in Doha on November 26, 2022.

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Underexplained Lists

The 16 Teams Left In The World Cup, Ranked By Coolness

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Patrick Redford

AL RAYYAN, QATAR - DECEMBER 02: Players of Korea celebrate during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Korea Republic and Portugal at Education City Stadium on December 02, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)

Korea Republic v Portugal: Group H – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

South Korea’s Stunning World Cup Moment Is As Good As It Gets

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David Roth

Christian Pulisic of the US Men's National Team prepares to take a corner kick in the team's win against Iran in the 2022 World Cup.

IR Iran v USA: Group B – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Podcasts

The Absolute State Of The Nation, With Tom Ley

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Laura Wagner

Belgium's assistant coach Thierry Henry consoles Belgium's Romelu Lukaku.

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No One Is Sadder Than Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku

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Tom Ley

Iran v USA: Group B – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Christian Pulisic’s Goal Not As Ballsy As It First Appeared

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Samer Kalaf

Saudi coaches Herve Renard and Mohammed Ameen give a motivational halftime speech during the team's game against Argentina.

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Yelling In Arabic Has Its Merits

Julian Alvarez of Argentina celebrates with Enzo Fernandez after scoring their team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 on November 30, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Poland v Argentina: Group C – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Argentina’s Young Stars Have Arrived

Poland Advances To Knockout Stage By Playing Jabroni Soccer

A dejected Joachim Andersen of Denmark at full time after being knocked out the FIFA World Cup in the group stages during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Australia and Denmark at Al Janoub Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar

Australia v Denmark: Group D – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Denmark Was Something Rotten

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 29: Sergino Dest of USA controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between IR Iran and USA at Al Thumama Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Internationals

Why Not U.S.?

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Billy Haisley

USA's forward #10 Christian Pulisic scores his team's first goal past Iran's goalkeeper #01 Alireza Beiranvand during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between Iran and USA at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 29, 2022.

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The USMNT Is What We Thought It Was

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Media Meltdowns

Iranian Press Corps Dominates Group-Stage Match Against USMNT

Ghana's midfielder #20 Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between South Korea and Ghana at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on November 28, 2022. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

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Ghana Is Definitely Here For A Good Time, Maybe For A Long Time

Casemiro of Brazil scores their team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 974 on November 28, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Brazil v Switzerland: Group G – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

This Is How Brazil Will Win The World Cup

Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar scores their side's second goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Group G match at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

Cameroon v Serbia – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group G – Al Janoub Stadium

Cameroon-Serbia Was The World Cup’s Weirdest And Wildest Game

Germany's midfielder #14 Jamal Musiala is challenged by Spain's midfielder #26 Pedri and Spain's midfielder #09 Gavi during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Spain and Germany at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 27, 2022.

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Soccer Gods Reward Spain And Germany’s Spectacular Match With A Good And Just Draw

Christian Pulisic (R) of USA struggle for the ball against Lionel Messi (L) of Argentina during the 2016 Copa America Centenario Semi-final match between USA vs Argentina at the NRG Stadium on June 21, 2016 in Houston, USA.

USA v Argentina – Copa America Centenario

Lionel Messi And Christian Pulisic Should Trade Each Other For Their Transfer Rumors

Canada's defender #02 Alistair Johnston (L) reacts after Croatia won the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Croatia and Canada at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 27, 2022.

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Canada’s World Cup Is Already Over

Argentina's Lionel Messi (l) cheers with Argentina's Julian Alvarez (r) after his goal for 1:0.

World Cup 2022 – Argentina – Mexico

Argentina Saved Its World Cup, And Can Now Begin Again

AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Tyler Adams of United States of America talks with Yunus Musah of United States of America during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

England v USA: Group B – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

USMNT Stands Tall Against England

USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams applauds after the team's 1-1 tie against Wales in the 2022 World Cup. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

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Getting Stupid In A Global Sense

Uruguay v Korea Republic: Group H – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Richarlison Found What He’s Been Looking For