The United States national women’s basketball team defeated Spain 76–66 in the semifinals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, securing a spot in the tournament final, according to live tournament reporting from sportschau.de. Head coach Kara Lawson’s squad relied primarily on individual talent to overcome a determined Spanish side that struggled with execution under the basket.
USA Secures Final Berth Despite Inconsistent Flow
The semifinal clash saw the United States advance to the championship match, where they faced France on Sunday evening after the French team defeated Germany 86–64, as reported by sportschau.de. While the American side managed to claim the ten-point victory, reporting from sportschau.de noted that the team “ließ ein starkes Zusammenspiel über weite Strecken vermissen” (lacked strong teamwork over large stretches) and largely secured the win through individual brilliance.
Spain kept the pressure on through three tightly contested quarters. The European side even edged the third period 22–19, bringing a level 58–58 scoreline into the final ten minutes. However, Spanish offensive production slowed significantly down the stretch, allowing the defending champions to pull away in the closing moments.
Key Turning Points in the Fourth Quarter
Spain struggled to find clean looks under the basket against physical American interior defense. Spanish head coach Miguel Méndez called a timeout with 2:33 left to reset his offense, but subsequent perimeter attempts by Awa Fam and Iyana Martin failed to drop. Turnovers and crucial defensive rebounds secured by players like Aliyah Boston and Breanna Stewart allowed the United States to salt the game away from the free-throw line in the final minute.
Standout Individual Performances
Maria Conde led all scorers in the match with 17 points for Spain, pacing the European side with clutch jumpers from mid-range that kept her team within striking distance until the final minutes. For the United States, Breanna Stewart anchored the offense with 16 points—just one shy of Conde’s game-high mark—while adding steady contributions from the charity stripe.
Additional offensive punch for the U.S. came down the stretch via timely baskets from Chelsea Gray, Aliyah Boston, and Jackie Young. Despite the physical intensity, Spain’s inability to capitalize on inside scoring opportunities ultimately prevented an upset.
What Lies Ahead for Spain and the U.S.
With the semifinal defeat, Spain’s tournament run concludes with a familiar matchup. According to sportschau.de match reporting, the Spanish side wraps up its World Cup campaign facing Germany—the exact opponent they opened the tournament against.
Meanwhile, the United States advanced to Sunday’s tournament final to face France, concluding another demanding international window under FIBA regulations. Fans looking for official box scores, tournament standings, and replay schedules can check updates directly through the official FIBA tournament portals.
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