Basketball / 2026 Women's World Cup: In a thrilling match, Team USA overcomes Spain's determination to qualify for the final alongside France.

What a thrilling finish at the Uber Arena in Berlin! Under unprecedented pressure, the American players had to exert considerable effort to triumph over a heroic Spanish team in the semifinals of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup.

Long challenged by the remarkable accuracy of the young Iberian team, the four-time defending champions showcased their experience during the "money time" to narrowly secure their place in the final.

Spain Came Close to a Memorable Upset

From the outset, the Spanish players demonstrated their intensity. Led by a deadly accurate Ilyana Martín (17 points) and the impact of María Conde (13 points), La Roja boldly took their chances by stifling the American paint.

By multiplying offensive attacks, the Iberian players led the dance for much of the match, compensating for their physical disadvantage with overflowing energy on the boards and in transition.

The Awakening of American Leaders

As the threat of a historic elimination loomed over the American bench, having not lost a World Cup match since 2006, the reaction came from the experienced players. Leading the charge, Breanna Stewart (12 points, 4 rebounds) took control to stabilize her team as Spain applied intense pressure.

Despite an unusual shooting performance from beyond the three-point line, the Americans managed to make the difference at the free-throw line and by drawing crucial fouls to turn the tide of the fourth quarter in their favor, thus extinguishing the Spaniards' hopes of reaching the final.

Eyes Set on a Monumental Clash Against the French

Thanks to this hard-fought victory, Team USA gives itself the chance to claim a fifth consecutive world title.

However, the task looks daunting: they will face a fired-up French team in the final, which had dominated Germany earlier (86-64) and is backed by an entire nation.

Sunday's match is already shaping up to be captivating.