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U.S. beats Italy 55-52 to reach World Cup quarters

9/7/2026

10 1 Full Breakdown

Summary

USA Advances

The United States beat Italy 55-52 in Berlin, advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
It was the U.S. lowest-scoring World Cup win since a 42-38 victory in 1967.
Team USA shot 29% overall and 1-for-12 from three-point range.
Breanna Stewart’s jumper put the United States ahead 51-50 with 3:20 remaining.
Coach Kara Lawson said the tournament is the toughest World Cup the U.S. has faced.

Summary

USA Captures

Team USA captured the Solheim Cup, first victory since 2009, after a dramatic comeback.
No. 1 amateur Preston Stout and partner Ethan Fang won the opening foursomes 3&2 despite Stout’s earlier singles loss.
The American squad swept the Sunday morning foursomes, the first such sweep since 2007.
Suzann Pettersen posted an Instagram apology, saying she felt “gutted” and let her team down.

History

Historical Context

The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, which opened on July 19, underscored U.S. sporting prominence amid events such as the Centennial Olympic Park bombing. That legacy of dominance, echoed by the Chicago Bulls’ 70-win season that same year, has carried into recent decades, with U.S. women’s teams staying competitive in basketball and golf on the world stage.

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USA Advances

The United States beat Italy 55-52 in Berlin, advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
It was the U.S. lowest-scoring World Cup win since a 42-38 victory in 1967.
Team USA shot 29% overall and 1-for-12 from three-point range.
Breanna Stewart’s jumper put the United States ahead 51-50 with 3:20 remaining.
Coach Kara Lawson said the tournament is the toughest World Cup the U.S. has faced.

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