US beats Spain 76-66 to reach world final against France

Team USA advanced to the women's world championship final on Saturday evening with a hard-fought 76-66 victory over Spain in Berlin. The Americans, who have not lost a tournament match since the 2006 semifinals, extended their world championship winning streak to 35 games. They will face France in the final, setting up a rematch of the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medal game.

Unlike previous matchups, the United States had to work exceptionally hard this time. Spain started stronger, jumping to a 9-1 lead and later 16-9, staying competitive throughout most of the evening. The Americans led 39-36 at halftime, and the third quarter ended in a 58-58 tie—marking the first time in tournament history that a women's world championship semifinal entered the final quarter level.

The decisive shift came in the final period. The United States opened with a 12-2 run, pulling ahead 70-60 and preventing Spain from closing within single digits for the remainder of the game. Breanna Stewart led the winners with 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Kahleah Copper added 13.

For Stewart, it was also a significant milestone on a personal level. She reached 266 points in world championships, moving past Cheryl Miller into fifth place on the all-time U.S. scoring list. She is also the only player ranked in the top five in U.S. history for points, rebounds, and assists in the tournament.

The United States is now just one win away from its fifth consecutive world title and 12th overall. Another victory would also tie the American streak of consecutive titles with that of the former Soviet Union. Waiting in the final is France, bringing the two teams back to the big stage after the Americans narrowly won by a single point in the Paris Olympic final.