Breanna Stewart scored 16 points and Kahleah Copper contributed 13 as the United States defeated Spain 76-66 on Saturday to reach the championship game of the women’s FIBA World Cup.
The Americans will meet France in a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal game, which the U.S. won by a single point.
The United States has now won 35 consecutive World Cup games, dating to its semifinal loss to Russia in 2006. One more victory would deliver a fifth straight tournament championship and match the former Soviet Union’s record for consecutive titles.
After dominant performances in their previous two games, the Americans struggled to find an offensive rhythm against Spain.
Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo
The teams were tied 58-58 entering the fourth quarter, but the U.S. opened the period by scoring 12 of the first 14 points. That surge gave the Americans a 70-60 advantage with 5:20 remaining, their largest lead of the game.
Spain never came closer than eight points during the final minutes.
The U.S. relied heavily on free throws, converting 27 of 35 attempts from the line.
It was the first World Cup meeting between the teams since the Americans defeated Spain for the gold medal at the 2014 tournament. That game marked Stewart’s national team debut.
Spain came out aggressively, scoring nine of the game’s first 10 points. It was the biggest deficit the U.S. had faced in the tournament, surpassing the three-point hole it encountered in a 55-52 win over Italy. Spain led 16-9 before the American newcomers entered and helped fuel a 12-2 run to close the opening quarter.
Still, the Americans were unable to create much separation in the second quarter. Spain’s physical defense disrupted the U.S. offense and led to a steady stream of fouls. The Americans attempted 27 free throws in the first half, making 19, while taking only 26 field-goal attempts. The U.S. held a 39-36 lead at halftime.
Spain, which will face host Germany in Sunday’s bronze medal game, continued to threaten until the end.
