The Women's Basketball World Cup Final Day: USA Overcomes 14-Point Deficit to Beat France, Spain Defeats Germany for Bronze

On September 14, Beijing time, the final day of the Women's Basketball World Cup saw the USA team overcome a 14-point gap in the finals, defeating France 97-79 to win the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup championship in a historic manner, achieving five consecutive World Cup titles. In the bronze medal game, Spain rebounded from the regret of their semifinal defeat, beating Germany 81-58 to claim the bronze medal.

USA Women's Basketball 97-79 France Women's Basketball

France held a narrow lead at halftime, but the USA took control of the game after the break, adding another hard-fought championship to the legendary team's trophy cabinet.

Turning Point

The decisive moment came in the third quarter. With 8:21 remaining in the period, France's Valériane Ayayi hit a jumper to tie the game at 47. Just 38 seconds later, Breanna Stewart responded immediately with a layup in the paint, putting the USA ahead 49-47. This basket sparked a crucial offensive run. From the 9:16 mark to 1:46 in the third quarter, the USA went on a 17-8 run, grabbing 9 rebounds and committing only 2 turnovers; during this stretch, France failed to make any three-pointers and committed 3 turnovers, completely shifting the momentum of the game.

Key Players on the Court

The USA was led by Breanna Stewart, who played 30 minutes and 11 seconds, recording 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, with an efficiency rating of 30 and a plus-minus of +8. She made 7 of 10 two-point shots and 8 of 9 free throws, providing stability in the paint and at the free-throw line during the USA's comeback.

Jackie Young played 29 minutes and 36 seconds, contributing 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, with a team-high plus-minus of +15. From the 7:17 mark to 5:05 in the second quarter, Young scored 8 points, including two three-pointers and a two-point basket, helping the USA stay within striking distance. Kahlia Copper made 5 of 9 shots for 15 points, with a game-high plus-minus of +16; Chelsea Gray made 5 of 9 shots, finishing with 12 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.

For France, Dominique Malonga played only 20 minutes and 21 seconds but scored a team-high 21 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, making 8 of 12 shots, with an efficiency rating of 23 and zero turnovers.

Offensive and Defensive Runs

The USA's strongest surge came late in the game: a 10-0 run over 1 minute and 59 seconds extended their lead from 76-59 to 86-59. This was a team effort, as the USA executed consecutive successful defenses and efficient scoring, completely eliminating any hope for a French comeback.

France's highlight stretch was a 16-0 run that started late in the first quarter and carried into the second quarter, fueled by aggressive defense and efficient offense, but they could not maintain their advantage.

Comeback History

With 7:27 left in the second quarter, the USA trailed 17-31, a 14-point deficit, and then began their decisive rally. The USA erased the 14-point gap and tied the game at 45 with 9:49 left in the third quarter, firmly taking control of the contest.

This epic comeback victory in Berlin will serve as a classic example of resilience, roster depth, and championship pedigree. Led by Stewart and supported by a well-balanced team, the USA once again etched their name in history, claiming the Women's Basketball World Cup title.

Spain Women's Basketball 81-58 Germany Women's Basketball

Spain built a 25-15 lead in the first quarter, briefly withstood a German rally, and then extended their advantage in the third and fourth quarters. Although it was not the gold medal, this bronze medal showcased Spain's strong mental fortitude and was the best reward for their consistent performance throughout the tournament.

Turning Point

The key moment came late in the second quarter. With 4:10 remaining, Luisa Geiselsöder scored on a driving layup to tie the game at 33. Just 22 seconds later, Iyana Martín drove for a layup, and with 3:48 left, Spain regained the lead at 35-33. From the 5:20 mark to 2:01 in the second quarter, both teams traded scores: Germany made all three of their field goal attempts, including a three-pointer; Spain made all four of their free throws. At the end of this stretch, Spain led 38-33 and never relinquished the lead afterwards.

Key Players on the Court

Martín was the engine for Spain throughout the game, playing 31 minutes and 12 seconds, recording 22 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, with an efficiency rating of 28 and a game-high plus-minus of +32. She made 8 of 15 field goals, 3 of 6 three-pointers, and 3 of 3 free throws, committing only 2 turnovers. Raquel Carrera provided strong support, playing 32 minutes and 57 seconds, notching 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, with an efficiency rating of 21, a plus-minus of +11, and zero turnovers.

Carrera's explosion came in the third quarter: from the 7:18 mark to 5:27, she scored 8 straight points with three consecutive two-point baskets and two free throws. Alba Fam also stood out, playing 26 minutes and 24 seconds and making 5 of 6 shots for 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, with an efficiency rating of 20 and a plus-minus of +25. For Germany, Nyara Sabally played 25 minutes and 43 seconds, making 6 of 7 shots for 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block, with an efficiency rating of 15.

Offensive and Defensive Runs

Spain's strongest surge occurred early in the third quarter, as they went on a 15-0 run from the 8:18 mark to 3:30, expanding a slim 40-39 lead to 55-39. During this stretch, Carrera scored 8 points on perfect shooting and also grabbed a rebound.

Germany's most impressive run was a 9-0 surge that started late in the first quarter and extended into the early second quarter, cutting Spain's lead from 25-12 to 25-21. Sabally contributed 4 points and a rebound during this period.

Spain delivered a brilliant performance in Berlin, handling adversity with calm execution. Martín became the center of attention, Carrera stepped up in crucial moments, and the team firmly secured the victory in the second half. With this resounding win, Spain left Berlin with the bronze medal held high.