A heap of Spanish players collapsed onto the Stadium Australia pitch in tears—after a 103-minute, 1–0 triumph over England, La Roja were crowned Women’s World Cup champions for the first time. As the gravity of the moment continued to sink in, the band of emotional Spain players celebrated on the field, while manager Jorge Vilda gleefully embraced his staff near the touchline. Eventually, however, the two masses merged, sharing in their revelry.
All eyes were on the trophy presentation, with the frosty relationship between La Roja and their coach now well-documented. Whatever insights could or couldn’t be gleaned from dissecting the two groups’ body language, the players should be applauded for their tremendous feat: fielding a dominant run at the World Cup amid uncertainty and turmoil, achieving the unthinkable. Spain’s story may be one of contradictions, but it's also one of beautiful football, club investment and global dominance.
Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated
