Breanna Stewart contributed 16 points and Kahleah Copper added 13 as the United States secured a 76-66 victory over Spain on Saturday, clinching a spot in the women’s FIBA World Cup championship game.
The Americans will now compete against France for the title, setting up a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal contest, which the U.S. won by a single point.
This win extends the U.S. winning streak in World Cup play to 35 games, dating back to a semifinal loss against Russia in 2006. A victory in the final would give the Americans their fifth consecutive tournament title, tying the record previously held by the former Soviet Union.
After advancing comfortably in their previous two matches, the U.S. team faced significant challenges against Spain, struggling to establish offensive rhythm throughout much of the game.
The contest remained close heading into the final period, with the score tied at 58. The Americans then scored 12 of the first 14 points of the fourth quarter to build a 70-60 lead with 5:20 remaining, which stood as their largest margin of the game. Spain was unable to narrow the gap further.
The U.S. relied heavily on free-throw shooting, converting 27 of 35 attempts. The matchup marked the first time the two teams have faced each other in the World Cup since the U.S. defeated Spain for the gold medal in 2014, which was Stewart’s debut with the national team.
Spain opened strongly, scoring nine of the first 10 points to take a 16-9 lead before new U.S. players entered the game and helped spark a 12-2 run to close the first quarter. This 7-point deficit was the largest the Americans had faced in the tournament, surpassing the three-point deficit they overcame against Italy in a 55-52 victory.
The U.S. had difficulty extending their lead in the second quarter due to Spain’s physical defensive style, which drew numerous foul calls. American players took 27 free throws in the first half, making 19, while attempting only 26 field goals. The teams headed into halftime with the U.S. leading 39-36.
Spain, which will play host nation Germany in the bronze medal game on Sunday, showed resilience throughout the contest and did not easily relinquish the lead.
The free throws were crucial. Taking that many shots from the line really showed how determined they were to close it out.
Thirty-five consecutive World Cup wins is insane. They really have built an untouchable dynasty over the last two decades.
I was surprised by how close that game got. Spain’s defense was way more physical than I expected from them.
Stewart is absolutely dominant. Her leadership really shows when the offense stalls like it did against Spain.
A rematch against France sounds intense! I cannot wait to see how they handle the pressure in the final.