Team USA pulled away from a scrappy Spain in the fourth quarter to lock down a 76-66 victory, punching their ticket to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup final in Berlin! This wasn’t some casual stroll, though. Our squad had to claw their way back from the biggest deficit they’ve faced all tournament, staring down a shocking 9-1 early hole before finally finding their rhythm and grabbing the lead by the end of the first quarter. Talk about a gut check to start the semifinals.
The “Young and Turnt” Crew Flipped the Script
Seriously, for a minute there, it felt like Spain was gonna run away with it, hitting us with that early 9-1 punch. That was the *biggest deficit* this squad has seen all tournament, a real test of their resolve in the semifinal. But you know what? Our “Young and Turnt” crew,Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Aliyah Boston,they stepped up huge. Their incredible energy and blistering pace changed the whole vibe, getting us back in it and even taking the lead by the end of the first quarter. After that initial struggle, Team USA never trailed again, though Spain definitely made them work for it, even managing to briefly tie the game late in the third quarter. Spain’s Iyana Martín, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, was absolutely tremendous for them, dropping 17 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals, capping off an amazing tournament. But when it mattered most, in the final frame, she went scoreless as the American defense dialed up the pressure.
Clutch Fourth Quarter Pushes USA Towards Gold
When the game got tight in the fourth, our veterans took over. Breanna Stewart, Kahleah Copper, and Jackie Young were lights out, combining for 14 of the American’s 18 points in that pivotal quarter. Stewie, in her fourth World Cup campaign, led the way with 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists, showing why she’s one of the best. Copper, despite a tough shooting night from the field, was relentless with her rim pressure and finished with 13 points, her highest-scoring game of the tournament. Young continued her strong showing in Berlin, chipping in 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Our shooting wasn’t pretty, just 23 of 58 (40%) from the field and a cold 3 of 18 (17%) from beyond the arc, but we kept attacking. The real difference maker? We got to the line relentlessly, outscoring Spain a massive 27-10 from the charity stripe. That’s how you win tough games.
Now, Team USA is set for a rematch of the gold medal game from the 2024 Olympics in Paris. They’ll face France, who knocked off the hosts Germany, in the final on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. This isn’t just about another gold medal; Team USA is playing for their fifth consecutive World Cup gold, which would tie the Soviet Union’s record of five straight championships from 1959-75. It’s history in the making, and you absolutely do not want to miss it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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