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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.

Gotham FC Signs Record-Breaking Sponsorship Deal with Dove

Emily Sonnett shows off the new Dove sponsorship above her last name on her Gotham jersey.
Dove's partnership with Gotham is the brand's first major investment in a women's sports team. (Gotham FC)

Gotham and Dove are teaming up, with the 2023 NWSL champs signing a record-setting multi-year kit partnership with the beauty brand on Thursday.

As Dove's first major investment in a women's sports team, the move also ranks as the highest-ever back-of-jersey sponsorship deal in NWSL history.

While Gotham did not provide specific numbers, the contract surpasses Bay FC's then-record $500,000 deal with private equity giant Sixth Street.

Dove joins Gotham in fight to keep girls in sports

The partnership is a part of Gotham's "Keep Her in the Game" initiative, a community effort launched last August to help adolescent girls stay in sports. Dove will serve as the program's presenting sponsor.

"Dove is the ultimate leader in female strength and empowerment, and we could not be prouder to partner with the brand in a number of impactful ways," Gotham FC chief business officer Ryan Dillon said in the team's release. "We are excited to team up with Dove to create key pathways for young female athletes to stay in sports, develop confidence, and become strong future leaders."

"The partnership is taking effect at a crucial time when supporting girls in sports has never been more important."

With girls twice as likely as boys to abandon sports by age 14, "Keep Her in the Game" aims to bolster young athletes' resilience and amplify the joy and connection that happens on and off the playing field.

After impacting 30 local New Jersey and New York youth clubs and more than 500 players in 2024, the initiative is aiming to double its reach in 2025. It will also pass the proverbial mic to the young athletes themselves by creating a Youth Leadership Council.

"The data is clear: Sports build confidence, leadership skills and resilience in young women, benefiting them for years to come," stated Laura DiMiceli, the head of personal care sports marketing for Dove's parent company, Unilever North America. "Dove is committed to supporting 'Keep Her in the Game' as part of our overall mission to help young girls pursue sports and keep playing the games they love."

Unrivaled to Crown First-Ever 1v1 Tournament Champion

Lunar Owls forward Napheesa Collier dribbles the ball during an Unrivaled game.
Napheesa Collier is one of four Unrivaled players competing for the 1v1 tournament's $200,000 prize. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball will crown its first-ever 1v1 tournament champion on Friday night, when all four semifinalists take the court with a $200,000 grand prize on the line.

Vinyl guard Arike Ogunbowale will kick off the semis against Mist forward Aaliyah Edwards, before Unrivaled co-founder and Lunar Owls forward Napheesa Collier faces Rose forward Azurá Stevens. The victors will immediately advance to the night's best-of-three final series.

Notably, Friday's set puts alma mater pride on center court. A trio of UConn alums in Collier, Stevens, and Edwards will all clock in, while Ogunbowale reps Notre Dame — one of just three teams to beat the Huskies this NCAA season.

Along with those priceless bragging rights, the semifinalists are battling for a six-figure payday, though none will leave empty-handed. Each are guaranteed at least $25,000, with $50,000 on deck for the tournament's runner-up.

The players' Unrivaled teammates will also be watching with interest, as the winner's entire 3×3 team will snag $10,000 each.

Though 1v1 can feel like a schoolyard version of basketball, with this much money involved, expect the competition to rise miles above playground tussles.

Rose BC's Angel Reese defends Mist forward Aaliyah Edwards during an Unrivaled game.
Aaliyah Edwards is one of three UConn alums in the Unrivaled 1v1 semifinals. (Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Endurance could decide Unrivaled 1v1 tournament champion

Friday's format is in part a test of stamina, as players stare down a grueling schedule where the eventual winner must play either three or four 1v1 games in a single night.

To that end, Collier's elite conditioning could make her the favorite, if she can outlast Stevens in the pair's semifinal.

"Her motor is unmatched," Stevens said of Collier's endurance, a key factor in her success so far. "I try to conserve some energy in between possessions, especially when the games get really tiring."

Motors aside, Friday's title will boil down to fundamentals — and which athlete best leverages their personal skillset.

"I have to use my size and stick to my strengths," said Edwards. "It’s about imposing my will and getting the job done."

How to watch the Unrivaled 1v1 tournament finals

The inaugural Unrivaled 1v1 tournament concludes on Friday. Live coverage begins at 7:30 PM ET on TNT.

USC Beats UCLA as JuJu Watkins Ends Bruins’ Undefeated NCAA Season

USC's JuJu Watkins drives to the basket between UCLA's Janiah Barker and Elina Aarnisalo.
Watkins scored 38 points to hand UCLA their first loss of the season. (Robert Hanashiro/Imagn Images)

The last perfect DI basketball season has officially fallen, as USC phenom JuJu Watkins put up a historic performance to lead the No. 6 Trojans to a 71-60 win over then-undefeated No. 1 UCLA on Thursday.

Watkins finished the night with 38 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and eight blocks, becoming the first DI player to register an overall stat-line so robust in 20 years.

"It took everything. It's been a rough couple weeks for me," Watkins said after the game, referencing uncharacteristic performances leading up to Thursday's rivalry matchup. "To be able to kind of snap back into it and get into my rhythm here at Galen versus UCLA, it's really all I could ask for."

"I'm really just like a kid out there and living out my dream."

Throughout the back-and-forth battle, Watkins's consistency made all the difference. She scored every one of USC's 14 second-quarter points, and helped lead a monster fourth quarter in which the Trojans slammed the door by outscoring the Bruins 24-8.

"I didn't teach JuJu any of that," commented USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb after the game. "[I] just try to put her in situations to be her best self, and she does most of that work. What I was so impressed with tonight, obviously, was just the mentality she came out with."

With the marquee win, USC now sits firmly atop the Big Ten. That said, UCLA will have a chance to avenge the loss in the pair's March 1st rematch, when that final regular-season game could decide the conference title.

Until then, the Trojans will be riding high on their Thursday night dominance.

"We'll never forget this night," Gottlieb said. "It's as good as anything I've ever seen."

UConn star Paige Bueckers dribbles the ball during a game.
UConn takes on South Carolina on Sunday. (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

How to watch Top 10 NCAA basketball this weekend

With no undefeated teams left in DI basketball, Watkins's performance has put the field on notice to not make any assumptions about who might end up on top.

While Sunday will see USC roll against unranked Washington and UCLA try to bounce back against No. 22 Michigan State, the NCAA slate will also serve up two huge Top 10 matchups.

First, No. 7 UConn will take their final major regular-season test when they visit No. 4 South Carolina at 1 PM ET, when Paige Bueckers and the Huskies will aim to pull off a similarly impressive USC-inspired upset.

Then at 3 PM ET, No. 5 LSU heads to No. 3 Texas, where the Tigers will hunt their first win over the Longhorns in more than 22 years.

Both elite meetings are set to air live on ABC.

Pro Women’s Lacrosse League Debuts at WLL Championship Series

A promotional graphic for the WLL Championship Series.
The WLL played its first-ever pro games at this week's Lexus Championship Series. (ESPN)

The brand-new professional Women's Lacrosse League (WLL) made its official debut this week just outside of Washington, DC, where its first-ever game saw the New York Charging take down the Maryland Charm 14-13 in the WLL Championship Series.

After the inaugural Tuesday result, the action continued on Wednesday, when the California Palms opened their WLL account by getting the better of the Boston Guard in a tight 16-15 matchup.

Founded and run by the Premier Lacrosse League, the WLL fosters top-level competition as the sport gears up for its 2028 Olympic return.

The four-team WLL Championship Series follows an Olympic-style "sixes" format. Unlike traditional lacrosse, which uses a larger pitch and 10 athletes per team, sixes employs a condensed field with six players per side.

In the Championship Series, teams are first competing in three round-robin games to determine semifinal seedings. The tournament will culminate with the knockout semifinal and final rounds on Sunday and Monday, respectively.

Team USA lacrosse star Charlotte North gestures during a 2022 World Championship game.
Team USA star Charlotte North competes for the WLL's Boston Guard. (Ryan Hunt/Getty Images)

WLL looks to level up lacrosse ahead of 2028 Olympics

Despite the competition's quick turnaround, the WLL represents a growing professionalization movement in women's lacrosse — with all involved betting big on the sport's Olympic success in LA.

When lacrosse steps back onto the Olympic stage in 2028, it will have been 80 years since its last 1948 outing — and even then, it was merely a demonstration event. The last time the sport earned medals was in 1908.

Furthermore, the sport's entire Olympic history rests in the men's game — 2028 will see women take the Olympic lacrosse pitch for the first time ever.

"We are honored to be a part of the WLL, and we couldn't be more excited to bring this game to the fans in new ways than ever before," said Boston Guard star Charlotte North in a league statement.

"We firmly believe that this is the beginning of what will be a monumental movement in the game of professional women's lacrosse, and for female athletes around the globe.... It's our time."

Former Northwestern lacrosse star Izzy Scane shoots the ball during an NCAA game.
Izzy Scane, the NCAA DI lacrosse career scoring leader, plays for the New York Charging. (Greg Fiume/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

How to watch the WLL Championship Series

The tournament's round-robin play continues with the Maryland Charm facing off against the Boston guard at 9 PM ET on Thursday, before the California Palms contend with the New York Charging at 6 PM ET on Friday.

All WLL Championship Series games will stream live on ESPN+, with Sunday's and Monday's knockout rounds airing live on ESPN2.

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