The United States is still unbeaten at a World Cup, but Berlin came closer than anywhere has in two decades. Italy pushed the four-time defending champions to a 55-52 finish on Sunday at the Women's Basketball World Cup, and led 50-49 inside the last three and a half minutes before the Americans steadied.
It was the narrowest World Cup result for the US since their last defeat, to Russia in 2006 — a run now stretching to 32 straight wins at the tournament. The margin came from a cold night rather than a collapse: the Americans shot 29% from the field and failed to reach 70 points for the first time since that 2006 loss, after opening the game on a 19-8 first quarter. Cecilia Zandalasini had a three to tie it with three seconds left; it drifted wide, and Breanna Stewart took the rebound.
"You do have to be able to win when you don't have your fastball," US coach Kara Lawson said afterwards.
The win clinched a quarter-final place, leaving Monday's group finale against Czechia as a formality. The knockout rounds begin Thursday at the Berlin Arena and Max-Schmeling-Halle, with the final on 13 September — and a direct berth at the LA28 Olympic tournament waiting for whoever wins it, unless that is the US, who are already in as hosts.
Source
Original summary by Proventier.