Team USA just squeaked by Spain, 76-66, in the World Cup semifinals in Berlin, but man, it was a nail-biter. That victory now punches their ticket to a fifth straight World Cup final, keeping their ridiculous 35-game winning streak alive, but Spain made them work for it. After four games where the Americans hadn’t trailed by more than three points, Spain came out swinging, reminding everyone that nothing in the World Cup is a given.
Spain Threw the Kitchen Sink, and It Almost Worked
Seriously, for a minute there, it felt like the floor was tilted. Spain jumped on Team USA with an overpowering start, and the U.S. looked lost. We’re talking a 9-1 lead for Spain about two and a half minutes into the game, with the U.S. hitting a dismal 2-of-7 from the floor. The defense couldn’t get set, and buckets just weren’t falling. The Spaniards weren’t just surprising us, they were startling us. It wasn’t until Paige Bueckers snagged a steal and scored with 1:51 left in the first quarter that Team USA finally found its first lead. That play ignited a crucial 14-2 run that seemed to settle things, but Spain’s physical, aggressive defense, including double and triple teams on our star post players, kept it tight. Team USA ended up attempting 27 free throws in the first half, scoring 19 of their 39 points from the charity stripe, while Spain only took four. Spain even managed a 6-2 run in the final two minutes of the first half to keep it a one-possession game at intermission. They even drilled three triples in the first two minutes of the third quarter to force a tie and take the lead again at the 7:30 mark. Talk about relentless!
Our Former Husky Showed Up Big Time
When things got dicey, our very own former Husky, Breanna Stewart, stepped up like the superstar she is. Stewart, a New York Liberty star, was the guiding ship against the Spaniards, keeping the energy high and providing vital sparks on both ends of the court for the whole 40 minutes. She finished with a team-high 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. That performance wasn’t just clutch for the win, it also shot her up the World Cup record list. She’s now No. 6 all-time on Team USA’s World Cup career scoring list with 266 points, zooming past Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes, who had 252. And get this, she’s only two points away from passing Cheryl Miller for the No. 5 spot. Kahleah Copper added 13 points and Jackie Young chipped in 12, but Stewie was the heartbeat that refused to let this streak die. Napheesa Collier also gave us a spark with a brief 7-0 run, netting seven points and three rebounds, helping to rebuild the cushion when Spain pushed hard after the break.
Get ready for some serious basketball on Sunday, because the Americans are heading to the gold-medal game against France. France just dispatched Germany, 86-64, in their own semifinal, and this will be their first-ever appearance in a World Cup final. It’s a rematch of the 2024 Olympic Final, where Team USA edged them out 67-66. France has Gabby Williams, a former UConn star, so it’s going to be another battle. Let’s go USA, bring that gold home!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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