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Defector

Billy Haisley

Aitana Bonmati of Spain celebrates her team’s 2-1 victory and advance to the final following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Spain and Sweden at Eden Park on August 15, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand.

Soccer

Aitana Bonmatí Can’t Win

Ray Ratto

Olga Carmona of Spain (R) attempts a kick while being defended by Nathalie Bjorn of Sweden (L) during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Spain and Sweden at Eden Park on August 15, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Spain Rode A Thunderbolt Into The World Cup Final

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

Jorge Vilda, Head Coach of Spain, looks on during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Quarter Final match between Spain and Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 11, 2023 in Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, New Zealand. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

When Your Coach Sucks, Everybody Loses

Luis Paez-Pumar

Salma Paralluelo of Spain celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Quarter Final match between Spain and Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 11, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand.

Salma Paralluelo Shook The Netherlands Out Of The World Cup

Manuela Vanegas of Colombia celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group H match between Germany and Colombia at Sydney Football Stadium on July 30, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

The 16 Teams Left In The Women’s World Cup, Ranked By Coolness

Mary Fowler of Australia celebrates after scoring a goal with her teammates that was later cancelled as a result of VAR consultation during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Canada and Australia at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia on July 31, 2023.

Canada And Spain Ate Shit And Deserved It

Mary Wilombe of Zambia post game despair after the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Spain and Zambia at Eden Park on July 26, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Zambia Learns How Unforgiving The World Cup Can Be

Aitana Bonmati of Spain and Barcelona celebrates after scoring her sides first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Spain and Costa Rica at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 21, 2023 in Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, New Zealand.

Spain Came Just Short Of Perfection

Albert Burneko

The Spain women's national team huddles on the field after losing to Italy in the UEFA Euros

Spain Is A Big Ugly Mess With Some Extremely Cool Players

Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr. reacts to being sent off against Valenica CF after incidents of racism from fans

La Liga

La Liga’s Racism Problem Boils Over

Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrates after the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Morocco and Spain at Education City Stadium on December 06, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Spain Beat Itself Again

Japanese players celebrate their Group E win over Spain

Japan Is The Best Kind Of World Cup Killer

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.

Underexplained Lists

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

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.

Internationals

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

Marco Asensio of Spain celebrates with team mates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Spain and Costa Rica at Al Thumama Stadium on November 23, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Spain Touches The Sky

Alvaro Morata of Spain celebrates scoring Spain goal during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 2 match between Portugal and Spain at Estadio Municipal de Braga on September 27, 2022 in Braga, Portugal.

It Is Illegal To List Spain Among The World Cup Favorites

Laura Wagner

PAMPLONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 11: Megan Rapinoe of USA reacts during the Women's International Friendly match between Spain and USA at El Sadar Stadium on October 11, 2022 in Pamplona, Spain

USWNT Loses Two In A Row

Head coach Jorge Vilda of Spain looks on during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Qualifier group B match between Spain and Ukraine at Ciudad del Futbol de Las Rozas on September 06, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.

The Spanish Soccer Federation Is Once Again Going To War Against Its Own Players

Georgia Stanway of England celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Quarter Final match between England and Spain at Brighton &amp; Hove Community Stadium on July 20, 2022 in Brighton, England.

England Has What It Takes

Spain's defender Maria Leon clears the ball during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Group B football match between Spain and Finland at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, north of London on July 8, 2022.

Mapi León Is One Of A Kind

Jorginho of Italy celebrates with Matteo Pessina and Domenico Berardi after scoring their sides winning penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Semi-final match between Italy and Spain at Wembley Stadium on July 06, 2021 in London, England.

Italy Had Just Enough Gas To Make It To The Final

Spain's players celebrate their fifth goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on June 28, 2021.

Spain Has Nothing Left To Fear

Aymeric Laporte of Spain celebrates with Koke after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group E match between Slovakia and Spain at Estadio La Cartuja on June 23, 2021 in Seville, Spain.