The United States women's national basketball team edged Italy 55-52 in a tightly contested FIBA World Cup match, recording the closest margin of victory for the Americans in two decades.
Italy’s campaign was revitalized by veteran forward Cecilia Zandalasini, who guided the Azzurre to a third‑place finish at the 2025 EuroBasket, securing the nation’s first global tournament appearance since the 1996 Olympics. Zandalasini, currently a member of the Golden State Valkyries, delivered a strong performance that helped Italy stay competitive throughout the game.
The U.S. extended its remarkable streak of 32 consecutive World Cup wins, a run that began after a semifinal loss in 2006, and had previously navigated a similarly tight 83-75 win over Australia in 2010 before pulling away in the current encounter. An opening 94-51 victory over China earlier in the tournament highlighted the Americans' dominance, a rematch of the 2022 final.
Road to the Knockouts
Looking ahead, the Americans are scheduled to take on Czechia on Monday at 2:45 p.m. ET, before advancing to the knockout rounds that include a quarterfinal matchup later in the week. The path to the title remains challenging, but the team’s depth and experience keep them poised for another deep run.