USA Beat Spain to Reach Fifth Straight World Cup Final
The USA overcame a spirited Spain comeback in Berlin, winning 76-66 to reach a fifth straight Women's World Cup final, where they will face France on Sunday.
The United States needed a fourth-quarter surge to see off Spain 76-66 in Berlin on Saturday, booking a fifth straight appearance in the Fiba Women's World Cup final.
Spain led 13-4 Midway through the first quarter and were still only four points down at half-time, 39-36. María Conde and Iyana Martín hit three-pointers early in the third to erase the deficit, and Martín's two free throws with 53 seconds left sent the tie into the fourth quarter locked at 58-58.
Kahleah Copper and Jackie Young scored to open the final period before Breanna Stewart helped the defending champions pull clear. The lead grew to eight with just over six minutes to go, and Young's steal and layup made it 76-64 with 1:42 on the clock.
Stewart finished with 16 points, Copper added 13 and Young 12. Conde and Martín both scored 17 for Spain, who held the Americans to 40% shooting from the field. The US made just three of 18 attempts from three-point range, and Caitlin Clark managed one point on 0-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc.
The result stretched the United States' World Cup winning streak to 35 games; they have not lost at the tournament since a semi-final defeat to Russia in 2006.
They face France in Sunday's final, a rematch of the 2024 Olympic gold-medal game, which the Americans won 67-66 after Gabby Williams stepped on the three-point line attempting a tying shot at the buzzer. France reached this final by beating hosts Germany 86-64.
About this article
Prepared by the editorial team with the help of algorithms, based on the sources listed