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With World Cup title, Spain has built a women’s soccer powerhouse

Spain players celebrate their country’s first Women’s World Cup title with a win over England on Sunday. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The sleeping giant of Spanish women’s soccer is awake. After World Cup wins at the U-17 and U-20 levels and ongoing dominance in European club competition, Spain has captured its first World Cup title at the senior level, with Olga Carmona’s early strike lifting La Roja to a 1-0 win over England on Sunday.

In some ways, Spain’s ascension to the top of the world stage happened very quickly. They qualified for their first Women’s World Cup for the first time in 2015, finishing last in their group with only one point to show for their efforts. They showed impressive gains in 2019, taking the eventual World Cup champions, the U.S. women’s national team, to the brink in the Round of 16.

To win the whole tournament in just three cycles is a feat, but no one can say that Spain did not lay the groundwork. Spain won their first U-17 World Cup title in 2018 and repeated the feat in 2022. Last year, they also added a U-20 World Cup win to their trophy case, taking down Japan in a preview of what will likely be many first-team battles to come. Japan defeated Spain 4-0 in the 2023 World Cup group stage and produced the Golden Boot winner in Hinata Miyazawa, before being upset in the quarterfinals by Sweden.

In two of the last three years, FC Barcelona has won the UEFA Women’s Champions League, reaching the final in three consecutive tournaments. Barcelona represents the peak of what Spain can accomplish, with a roster that feeds into the team’s chemistry at the international level. Barcelona doesn’t only benefit Spainl England starters Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze also play their club soccer in Catalonia, adding familiarity to a final between two nations that already know each other well.

But despite all these advantages at multiple levels of the soccer pyramid, a first-ever World Cup win for Spain was never guaranteed. They came close to bowing out multiple times in this tournament, passing around the opposition without registering enough shots on target and folding mentally at times when taking the lead.

On Sunday, a combination of the right mentality and preparation came together, spurred by the winner of Best Young Player of the Tournament. Salma Paralluelo had been a force for Spain off the bench in the last two rounds, and in the final, the 19-year-old got a well-earned start. Paralluelo is a product of those Spain teams that dominated the youth levels, winning both a U-17 and a U-20 World Cup on her way to the brightest international spotlight. The Barcelona forward has an uncanny ability to cut through Spain’s frivolity on the ball, turning midfield possession and immaculate first touches into actually dangerous attacks.

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Salma Paralluelo was named Best Young Player of the Tournament after Spain's World Cup win. (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Time and time again on Sunday, Spain was able to pass around England’s disciplined press to switch the point of their attack to the open player on the weak side of the wings. Bronze and Rachel Daly had a difficult game, with the latter being subbed off at halftime in favor of keeping Spain from scoring another goal over dynamism in the attack.

But one goal turned out to be all Spain needed, in a flipped script from their elimination at the hands of England in the 2022 European Championship. Instead of becoming flustered in possession, Spain never kept their foot off the ball, continuing their methodical build-ups and keeping calm heads as England became increasingly panicked late in the second half.

While the style and flair varied — especially in an epic midfield performance from Golden Ball winner Aitana Bonmatí, Jenni Hermoso and Teresa Abelleira — Spain’s mental fortitude was reminiscent of the 2019 USWNT, who kept their same cool against Spain on their way to a fourth World Cup title.

There’s no doubt that, as a country, Spain has far deeper soccer ties than the U.S. But if Spain has a chance at building a women’s soccer dynasty, their comparisons to the USWNT might need to not stop at the final whistle. It’s no secret that Spain’s success has come at a cost, after 15 players rebelled against their manager and federation to sit out key friendlies in the lead-up to the World Cup. For players at home like Mapi Leon and Patricia Guijarro, who stuck to their principles in the face of immense pressure to return to the fold, this win will likely always have an asterisk.

Spain’s football federation will likely see this World Cup win as justification for their loyalty to manager Jorge Vilda, while the fight for recognition and better resources has only just begun for the players who were able to weave gold out of a tense situation. Succeeding in spite of managerial mediocrity is a longtime legacy in women’s soccer, especially with a player pool as deep as Spain’s. But at some point, federation dysfunction will dampen what has the opportunity to be a new era in the women’s game.

Because if there’s one other lesson that can be learned from the U.S., it’s that all the groundwork in the world can be undermined by complacency at the federation level, and there will never be another tournament where a world power can cruise their way to the trophy. In fact, it’s possible that the era of dynasties is already over, even if Spain’s has just begun.

No matter the management, the main takeaway from the 2023 World Cup champions should be that the pipeline of Spanish talent is wide open and, with the explosion of women’s soccer’s popularity, will not be closing anytime soon. Consider the rest of the world on notice.

Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

Caitlin Clark Player Edition Kobe 5 Sneakers Fly Off Nike’s Shelves

An image of the Nike Kobe V Protro sneakers designed by WNBA star Caitlin Clark.
The Nike Player Edition Kobe V Protros designed by Caitlin Clark sold out in minutes on Monday. (Nike)

The first Nike Player Edition sneakers designed by WNBA star Caitlin Clark sold out almost immediately on Monday morning, with fans snapping up the limited run of the Fever guard's Kobe 5 Protros within minutes of the 10 AM ET online drop.

Inspired by the Indiana Fever's colors, Clark's high-gloss Kobe shoes come in Midnight Blue with a tongue and additional accents in Bright Crimson, as well as "vibrant hits of University Gold."

Though Nike did not disclose actual stock numbers, multiple sneaker insiders estimated that Monday's release included just 13,000 pairs of Clark's edition.

Originally on sale for $190 through Nike's website, the Kobe 5 Protro PE is already topping $350 on the resale market.

Clark has been a Nike athlete since inking an NIL deal with the sportswear giant just before her junior NCAA season at the University of Iowa in October 2022, with the WNBA sophomore later signing a reported eight-year, $28 million endorsement contract just after finishing her collegiate career.

That current deal, inked just after the Indiana Fever selected Clark as the 2024 WNBA Draft's overall No. 1 pick, includes the release of a signature shoe.

While Nike still plans to add Clark to its signature shoe roster, the brand appears to be testing the market's waters using the guard's preferred on-court Kobe sneakers — to a sellout success.

How to buy the Caitlin Clark x Nike Kobe 5 Protro PE

Plans looking to pay retail prices for Clark's latest sneaker design will have to wait for Nike to restock, with online resellers like StockX, GOAT, and Flight Club currently selling the shoes at a significant markup.

Waivers, Trades Rattle WNBA Standings as Teams Hunt Midseason Boosts

Dallas Wings forward NaLyssa Smith looks down during a 2025 WNBA game.
Former Dallas Wings forward NaLyssa Smith was abruptly traded to the Las Vegas Aces on Monday. (Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images)

With the 2025 WNBA All-Star break looming later this month, teams across the league aren't waiting for the August 7th deadline to pull the trigger on trades and waivers, significantly shaking up league rosters.

On Monday, Dallas abruptly traded forward NaLyssa Smith to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a 2027 first-round draft pick, surprising Smith and her Wings teammates — including girlfriend DiJonai Carrington.

"Sick to my stomach dawg, never seen this coming," Smith posted to X after the WNBA announced the trades, adding "if I could've chose anywhere to go it would've been Vegas, so hella excited [for] this new opportunity."

WNBA trades target future prospects

The recent WNBA trades both reflect the depth of options Dallas has in their frontcourt — most recently boosted by the Wings acquiring center Li Yueru from Seattle last month — and indicates the team's early play at a talented WNBA Draft class, with NCAA stars like USC's JuJu Watkins and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo going pro in 2027.

At the same time, Smith's trade extends Las Vegas's first-round draft drought, with the Aces — who last added a first-round selection in 2022 — currently without an early draft pick until 2028.

As the Las Vegas focuses on leveling up this season, hoping Smith helps boost their current seventh-place league standing, the Aces also added roster cuts to their Monday trade.

Las Vegas handed out waivers to guard Tiffany Mitchell and second-year forward Elizabeth Kitley, who was selected 24th overall by the Aces in the 2024 WNBA Draft despite tearing her ACL at the end of her NCAA career.

Golden State Valkyries guard Julie Vanloo looks on during a 2025 WNBA game.
Golden State waived Belgian guard Julie Vanloo as she returned from winning the 2025 EuroBasket. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Golden State waives 2025 EuroBasket champ Vanloo

Making their own controversial Monday move was 2025 expansion side Golden State, as the Valkyries cut Belgian guard Julie Vanloo shortly after the 2025 EuroBasket champion rushed to return to California, skipping her national team's title-winning celebrations.

"Literally just touched down in the bay," Vanloo wrote on an Instagram story littered with broken heart emojis. "I need some time to process all of this man and put my feels into words. I can't right now."

While Golden State faces backlash for the timing of the cut, waiving Vanloo ultimately opens up a contract for the Valkyries, with rumors swirling that either guard Kaitlyn Chen or forward Laeticia Amihere will earn the roster spot after impressing as replacement players during European absences.

All in all, with WNBA roster space remaining at a premium, teams are making big swings in an effort to shore up their ranks as they push toward the 2025 season's halfway point.

Indiana Fever Face Minnesota Lynx at 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Final

The Indiana Fever huddle during a 2025 WNBA game.
The Indiana Fever will play in their first-ever Commissioner's Cup final on Tuesday night. (Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

The 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup final tips off on Tuesday night, when first-time finalist Indiana will look to upset reigning Cup champs Minnesota in a winner-take-all showdown for both bragging rights and the lion's share of the in-season tournament's prize pool.

With the total purse set at $500,000, athletes on the winning team will earn around $30,000 each — plus an additional $5,000 for the Commissioner's Cup final MVP — while losing players will take home $10,000.

While Tuesday's final won't count toward the regular-season WNBA standings, the battle will be the first meeting between the Lynx and Fever this year, adding first-clash drama to the already-high stakes.

"I think it's going to feel like a playoff game. It's going to be really fun," Lynx star Napheesa Collier told reporters, noting Minnesota's home-court advantage in the matchup. "Our fans show up for us every game, but especially in that environment ... it's going to be electrifying."

Despite the excitement, player availability could tip the scales in Tuesday's outcome, as both Collier and Fever guard Caitlin Clark contend with recent injuries.

While Collier returned from a lingering back issue without missing a beat last weekend, Clark missed Indiana's last two games due to a groin issue and is currently "questionable" to play for the Commissioner's Cup.

"I'm going to be day-to-day," Clark said on Sunday. "Doing everything I can to put myself in position to play the next game. That's always my goal."

How to watch tonight's WNBA Commissioner's Cup final

The Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever will take the court for the 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup final at 8 PM ET on Tuesday.

Live coverage of the in-season tournament's championship game will air on Prime.

WNBA Drops All-Star Game Starters, Taps Rookie Paige Bueckers

Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers celebrates a play during a 2025 WNBA game against the Indiana Fever.
Paige Bueckers is the only rookie to make the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game starting lineup. (Mercedes Oliver/NBAE via Getty Images)

The WNBA dropped its All-Star Game starters list on Monday, with just one rookie earning enough votes to feature on the star-studded 10-player lineup.

In addition to being the lone rookie, Dallas's No. 1 overall draft pick Paige Bueckers will be the only All-Star debutant playing in the game's first minutes, as the Wings guard joins nine previous All-Stars to tip off the July 19th matchup — giving her a presumptive edge in this year's Rookie of the Year race.

Joining Bueckers as WNBA All-Star starters will be team captains Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx) and Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), as well as Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever), Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream), Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty), Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm), Satou Sabally (Phoenix Mercury), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), and A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces).

A mix of 50% fan voting, 25% player voting, and 25% media voting determined the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game starting lineup — though the three groups did not necessarily come to a consensus.

For example, players ranked Clark ninth among guards, while the media put her in third. A record-setting 1.29 million fan votes boosted the Fever star into a captain's role.

As for players who fell just short of a starting position, like Indiana guard Kelsey Mitchell and Chicago forward Angel Reese fell just short of starting at their positions, their All-Star dreams aren't over yet.

Head coaches across the league will now vote to select 12 reserve players, likely adding both fan favorites and stat-sheet stars to the July 6th final All-Star player pool, with Collier and Clark building their teams from that list on July 8th.

Though reputation, skill, and popularity all factor into All-Star nods, this year's group is also underlining the depth of the WNBA's talent base.

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