Published On 12 Sep 2026
The United States survived a stern test from Spain to reach the women’s basketball World Cup final, securing a 76-66 semifinal victory in Berlin on Saturday.
Spain, the underdogs, matched the defending champions 58-58 at the end of the third quarter. Their best finish at the tournament had previously been a runners-up place in 2014, when they lost to the Americans in the final.
The United States’ experience proved decisive in the fourth quarter, as they outscored Spain 18-8 to clinch the win.
Breanna Stewart led the Americans with 16 points, while Kahleah Copper contributed 13. The victory extended the United States’ winning streak at the tournament to 35 games, dating back to their 2006 semifinal defeat by Russia.
Sunday’s final will rematch the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal game, which the United States won by a single point.
“That’s over, you know what I mean? We won that game and that game is over, and this is a completely new game tomorrow,” Stewart told reporters when asked about the 2024 final.
“Everybody has their own things that continue to motivate them … but this is one game to win the gold medal in the World Cup in Berlin, and that’s our entire focus.”
It was another difficult evening for Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who managed one point and committed two turnovers after facing intense pressure from Spain’s defence.
Spain began brightly and took an eight-point lead midway through the first quarter.
The Americans responded with improved rhythm and controlled much of the second and third periods, relying on steady scoring from Copper and Stewart.
However, their intensity dipped in a familiar pattern from their previous victory over Italy. Spain seized the momentum with a 9-2 run to level the scores heading into the final quarter.
Spain’s 12,650 supporters were behind them as an upset appeared increasingly possible, but the United States rallied with a 12-2 start to the fourth period and regained control.
France reach maiden final after routing Germany
France booked their first place in a World Cup final after defeating host nation Germany 86-64 earlier on Saturday.
Gabby Williams led France with 22 points, five assists and four steals, helping the Olympic silver medallists retain their unbeaten record ahead of Sunday’s decider in Berlin.
The US-born guard was a constant threat on both ends of the floor for France.
Describing herself as “on a mission”, Williams told BeIN Sports: “I just want to give it my all.
“You never know when you’ll get an opportunity like this. You don’t know if it’ll be the last one. So, I’m just going to give everything.”
Marieme Badiane said France would not be intimidated by the challenge of facing the Americans.
“We all realise that we can go for the ultimate prize. That’s the goal now. We aren’t stopping here. No one is going to let up.”
Germany, meanwhile, produced a stunning upset by eliminating European champions Belgium in the quarterfinals to reach their first semifinal as a unified country. East Germany had previously finished in the tournament’s top four in 1967.
France started aggressively, but Germany remained within two points at the end of the opening quarter.
The French team’s superior depth became decisive after the break. They finished the first half on a nine-point run to establish a 16-point advantage.
Alexis Peterson and Emily Bessoir hit three-pointers in the final quarter as Germany narrowed the deficit to nine, but France responded with a 12-0 run to seal the victory.