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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Billy Haisley

Croatia's goalkeeper #01 Dominik Livakovic deflects a shot from Brazil's forward #21 Rodrygo during a penalty shootout during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between Croatia and Brazil at Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on December 9, 2022.

TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2022-MATCH58-CRO-BRA

Internationals

Croatia Did The Impossible By Beating The Inevitable

Japan v Croatia: Round of 16 – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Soccer

Japan Finally Plays A Good Game And Loses Anyway

USA's forward #10 Christian Pulisic scores his team's first goal past Iran's goalkeeper #01 Alireza Beiranvand during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between Iran and USA at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 29, 2022.

TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2022-MATCH34-IRI-USA

The USMNT Is What We Thought It Was

Casemiro of Brazil scores their team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 974 on November 28, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Brazil v Switzerland: Group G – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

This Is How Brazil Will Win The World Cup

Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar scores their side's second goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Group G match at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

Cameroon v Serbia – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group G – Al Janoub Stadium

Cameroon-Serbia Was The World Cup’s Weirdest And Wildest Game

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.

FBL-WC-2022-MATCH28-ESP-GER

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

Argentina's Lionel Messi (l) cheers with Argentina's Julian Alvarez (r) after his goal for 1:0.

World Cup 2022 – Argentina – Mexico

Argentina Saved Its World Cup, And Can Now Begin Again

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 v Costa Rica: Group E – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Spain Touches The Sky

USA's forward #21 Timothy Weah celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between USA and Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 21, 2022.

FBL-WC-2022-MATCH04-USA-WAL

There’s No Weah In Hell I’m Going To Get Too Bummed About The USMNT’s Draw

England v IR Iran: Group B – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

England Beat Iran While FIFA And Qatar Beat Everyone Else

An empty Budweiser beer stand at Fan Festival ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on November 18, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Previews

FIFA Is Getting The Beerless World Cup It Deserves

Neymar Junior of Brazil celebrates his goal during the international friendly match between Brazil and Tunisia at Parc des Princes on September 27, 2022 in Paris, France.

Brazil v Tunisia – International Friendly

Can Brazil Be Brazil Again?

Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (R) celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring during the Nations League League A Group 4 football match between Belgium and Wales at The King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on September 22, 2022.

FBL-NATIONS-BEL-WAL

The End Is Near For Belgium

Japan celebrate after the FIFA World Cup Qualifier football match between Australia Socceroos and Japan on March 24, 2022 at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia.

SOCCER: MAR 24 World Cup Qualifier – Australia v Japan

Fate Has Handed Japan A Nearly Impossible Task

Hiving Lozano #22 of Mexico celebrates a goal against Peru in the second half at Rose Bowl Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Pasadena, California.

Peru v Mexico

Mexico Is Going Nowhere

Ali Albulayhi of Saudi Arabia reacts during the international friendly match between Saudi Arabia and Colombia at Estadio Enrique Roca on June 05, 2022 in Murcia, Spain.

Saudi Arabia v Colombia – International Friendly

Saudi Arabia’s Coach Is Hunky But Its Team Is Junky

Wales' striker Gareth Bale celebrates after winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 play-off final qualifier football match between Wales and Ukraine at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on June 5, 2022.

FBL-WC-2022-EUR-QUALIFIER-WAL-UKR

This World Cup Is Wales’s Last Hurrah With Gareth Bale

Fans celebrate the tying goal scored by Enner Valencia of Ecuador during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification match between Ecuador and Argentina at Estadio Monumental on March 29, 2022 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Ecuador v Argentina – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifier

Ecuador’s Bright World Cup Future Starts Now

Dwight McNeil of Everton celebrates with teammate Alex Iwobi after scoring their team's third goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on October 22, 2022 in Liverpool, England.

Everton FC v Crystal Palace – Premier League

All Of Everton’s Paths To Success Run Through Alex Iwobi

Thibaut Courtois receives the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper during the Ballon D'Or ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet In Paris on October 17, 2022 in Paris, France.

Ballon D’Or Ceremony At Theatre Du Chatelet In Paris

There’s A Reason Keepers Don’t Win The Big Hardware

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF celebrates a goal prior to the referee cancelling the goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 16, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.

Real Madrid CF v FC Barcelona – LaLiga Santander

For Real Madrid, The Clásico Was Just Another Game

Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale in action during the UEFA Champions League group C match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale at Spotify Camp Nou on October 12, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

FC Barcelona v FC Internazionale: Group C – UEFA Champions League

Lautaro Martínez Went Bigger Than Bull Mode On Barcelona

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain arrives to the stadium for the Ligue 1 match between Stade Reims and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Auguste Delaune on October 08, 2022 in Reims, France.

Stade Reims v Paris Saint-Germain – Ligue 1 Uber Eats

Kylian Mbappé Wants To Leave A PSG He Couldn’t Make His Own

Neymar Jr of Brazil celebrates after scoring their side's third goal with his teammates Raphinha and Lucas Paqueta during the international friendly match between Brazil and Tunisia at Parc des Princes on September 27, 2022 in Paris, France.

The World Cup Is South America’s To Win

Kaoru Mitoma of Team Japan celebrates scoring their team's second goal during the International Friendly match between Japan and United States at Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 23, 2022 in Duesseldorf, Germany.