Spain wins 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup!

¡Enhorabuena España! Las campeonas de la Copa Mundial Femenina de la FIFA 2023. 

Reaching the summit of the mountain was just the beginning of their remarkable journey. Spain emerged victorious over England with a brilliant strike from Olga Carmona in the 29th minute, securing their first-ever Women's World Cup title. However, the euphoria was quickly overshadowed by devastating news as Carmona learned of her father's passing before the match began.

This triumph holds even greater significance for Spain when considering the lack of investment in women's soccer by the federation. It wasn't until 2021 that Spain established their own professional women's league, and reports indicate that the Royal Spanish Football Federation allocated a mere 1% of its budget to the women's game as recently as 2014.

Prior to this year, Spain had never progressed beyond the round of 16 in the World Cup, qualifying for the tournament for the first time in 2015. However, their journey to glory was not without internal struggles. In September 2022, 15 players opted out of the national team due to various issues, including concerns related to the coaching staff. Although some improvements were made, several key players remained unavailable for selection.

The tension within the team became evident following their victory, as players excluded coach Jorge Vilda from their celebrations and he faced boos from the crowd. Despite these challenges, Spain managed to claim the title even in the absence of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, who suffered an ACL injury. Aitana Bonmati, who was awarded the Golden Ball for being the tournament's best player, stepped up admirably in Putellas' absence.

Notably, the Spanish women's team currently holds the U-20 and U-17 World Cup trophies, further solidifying their dominance in the women's game. It is no surprise that in Sandra's premature 2027 Women's World Cup Power Rankings, La Roja reign supreme.

Sandra Herrera, reflecting on Spain's success, highlighted the team's resilience and unity in the face of disagreements with the federation and coaching staff. Aitana Bonmati, Jenni Hermoso, and Salma Paralluelo, all stars in different stages of their careers, joined forces to etch their names in history when it mattered most.

In contrast, the United States finds themselves far from the top spot in Sandra's rankings, a reminder of the ever-changing landscape of women's soccer.

Congratulations, Spain on winning the 2023 Women's World Cup!