Full Breakdown
Team USA Edges Italy in Nail-Biting Group-Stage Victory at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup
9/7/2026, 11:33:24 AM
Core Event
In the second group-stage match, the United States women’s national basketball team held off Italy to win 55–52. The U.S. opened with a 19–8 first-quarter lead but saw the margin shrink, with Italy taking a three-point lead midway through the fourth quarter before a missed tying attempt was secured by Breanna Stewart. The victory moved the United States to 2-0 in group play and secured a direct quarter-final berth.
Background & Context
The U.S. entered the World Cup with a “new-look” roster after four-time MVP A’ja Wilson and five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum were ruled out for health reasons just days before the tournament began. Coach Kara Lawson emphasized that the team would need to build chemistry quickly. Historically, Team USA entered the game on a 32-game World Cup winning streak.
Key Figures & Groups
- Kara Lawson – head coach of Team USA.
- Breanna Stewart – veteran forward, New York Liberty (WNBA).
- Jackie Young – forward, Las Vegas Aces, leading scorer with 10 points.
- Cecilia Zandalasini – Italy’s leading scorer with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Data & Statistics
- Team USA shooting: 16-of-56 (29%) from the field; 1-of-12 (8%) from three.
- Italy shooting: 18-of-58 (31%) from the field; no three-pointers made.
- Turnovers: USA 14, Italy 18.
- Free throws: USA 22-of-30 (73%).
- Rebounds: Italy’s Zandalasini collected seven; USA’s top rebounder was Angel Reese with six.
- The 55–52 margin is the smallest U.S. World Cup win since 1979 and the lowest-scoring U.S. game since 1971.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Lawson said the team “played physically” and acknowledged the need for offensive improvement while praising the defensive effort that limited Italy’s scoring in the final minutes. She also noted the team would miss Wilson and Plum but must focus on the players available. Italy’s Zandalasini apologized after confronting officials over a disputed late-game call.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Obviously, Italy really kind of mucked up the game for us a little bit, and it made it hard on us to score,” — Breanna Stewart
- “I would like to apologize for how I acted in the end,” — Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini
Why It Matters / Impact
The narrow win kept the United States on the tournament’s opposite side of the bracket from France, meaning the two favorites cannot meet until the final. The game exposed offensive struggles that could affect future matchups, prompting Lawson to stress the importance of improving shooting efficiency.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact field-goal percentage for Team USA: some report 29%, others 27% or 32%. All agree the three-point shooting was 1-of-12 (8%). No source provides a definitive breakdown of shot distribution beyond these figures.
What’s Next
The United States will face Czechia in its final group-stage game the following day. The matchup offers an opportunity to refine chemistry and address the shooting woes highlighted against Italy.
