Overview
- Team USA beat Spain 76-66 in the World Cup semifinal in Berlin on Saturday to advance to Sunday’s final against France, a rematch of the 2024 Olympic title game.
- Breanna Stewart led the Americans with 16 points and helped anchor a defensive fourth quarter that held Spain to eight points while free throws offset poor shooting.
- The U.S. shot 40 percent overall and made just 3 of 18 three-pointers, and it finished the game with more turnovers than assists, exposing issues in spacing and shot creation.
- Late withdrawals of A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum reduced veteran depth and pushed younger players into larger roles, with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese showing growing on-court chemistry.
- A victory Sunday would give Team USA a fifth straight World Cup title, tying the Soviet Union record, and would shape player momentum and workload ahead of the upcoming WNBA season.