España cae con honor ante Estados Unidos (70-84)

San Juan, Puerto Rico – The United States women’s national basketball team closed out an undefeated run through the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament with a 70-84 victory over Spain on Tuesday. While a loss on paper, the Spanish squad demonstrated resilience and a closing gap against the world’s top-ranked team, securing their own berth in the 2026 World Cup in Berlin, Germany.

This contest, played at the Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, marked the culmination of a strong showing for both teams. The United States finished the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record, while Spain and Italy also qualified for the World Cup. Puerto Rico will need a win against Latest Zealand to secure their own spot in the tournament.

Early Exchanges and American Response

The game began as a tightly contested affair, with both teams trading leads throughout the first quarter. Spain’s Megan Gustafson initially put her team ahead 11-8, but the Americans responded through Kelsey Plum, regaining the advantage at 14-11. Spain battled back, tying the score at 15-15 before a five-point burst from Caitlin Clark shifted the momentum in favor of the United States, closing the first quarter with a 21-16 lead.

The second period saw continued back-and-forth action. Awa Fam briefly equalized the score at 23-23, but a three-pointer from Plum once again gave the Americans the upper hand. Plum and Paige Bueckers then added consecutive baskets, extending the lead to 30-23 and prompting a timeout from the Spanish coach, Miguel Méndez. The United States continued their strong play, finishing the first half with a 44-32 advantage.

Second Half Battle, American Control

The third quarter saw a more even exchange, with Spain refusing to concede despite the deficit. Although, they were unable to significantly close the gap, and the fourth quarter ended tied at 23-23, solidifying the United States’ victory. Kelsey Plum led the American scoring with 10 points in the first half, while Caitlin Clark continued to be a key offensive threat throughout the game.

Looking Ahead: World Cup Bound

The qualification of the United States, Spain, and Italy sets the stage for an exciting 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin. For Spain, this tournament provided valuable experience and a chance to assess their standing against the world’s best. Despite never having defeated the United States – this was their 14th loss – the team’s performance in San Juan suggests they are continuing to close the gap.

This tournament also served as a proving ground for young Spanish players like Awa Fam and Iyana Martín, both of whom are potential candidates for the upcoming WNBA draft on April 13th. Fam, a 19-year-old center from Valencia Basket, is considered a top prospect, potentially even the number one overall pick. Martín, a 20-year-old guard from Perfumerías Avenida, is also attracting significant attention from WNBA scouts.

The United States entered the tournament as heavy favorites, even without key players like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu. They dominated their opponents, winning by margins of +64 against Senegal, +43 against Puerto Rico, +34 against Italy, and +55 against New Zealand. Caitlin Clark proved to be a consistent scoring threat, shooting 45% from three-point range throughout the tournament.

While the United States’ dominance is undeniable, Spain’s performance in this tournament demonstrates their continued growth and potential to challenge the top teams in the world. The upcoming World Cup in Berlin promises to be a thrilling competition, with Spain poised to make a strong showing.

The Spanish team faced this match with their World Cup qualification already secured, making the game an opportunity to gauge their level against the United States, a perennial powerhouse in women’s basketball. The Americans, even without some of their star players, proved too strong, showcasing the depth of their talent with contributions from players like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese.

Next up for both teams will be final preparations for the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany, in September. Details regarding schedules and group play will be released by FIBA in the coming weeks. Fans can follow official updates on the FIBA website: https://www.fiba.basketball/