USA narrowly beats Italy 55-52 in women's FIBA World Cup struggle

In March, during World Cup qualifiers in Puerto Rico, the United States defeated Italy by 34 points. On Sunday in Berlin, that gulf vanished, replaced by a three-point margin as the U.S. Narrowly escaped with a 55-52 victory.

The result represents the stiffest challenge the American women have faced in nearly two decades in the FIBA World Cup. Trailing 50-48 with less than five minutes remaining, the U.S. Avoided its first preliminary round defeat since 1983 and its first overall tournament loss since 2006. The victory secures a quarterfinal berth for the U.S. (2-0) but exposes a stark vulnerability in an offense that struggled to score against a disciplined Italian defense.

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The Tactical Breakdown

The primary catalyst for the U.S. Struggle was Italy's defensive architecture. Coach Andrea Capobianco employed a 2-3 zone and physical switching coverages designed specifically to disrupt the American rhythm. The strategy was highly effective; according to Yahoo Sports, the U.S. Looked uncharacteristically disjointed, missing eight free throws and shooting just 10 of 35 in the paint.

The shooting statistics highlight a systemic failure. The U.S. Did not convert a single three-pointer until Paige Bueckers hit one with 1:49 left in the third quarter. Caitlin Clark finished the game 0-for-6 from the floor with one point, while Breanna Stewart missed her first eight field-goal attempts. As a team, the U.S. Shot 16 of 56 (28.6%) overall, the fewest points they have scored in a World Cup win since 1967.

Metric	Team USA	Italy
Final Score	55	52
Field Goal %	29% (16/56)	Not Specified
3-Point Shooting	8% (1/12)	Not Specified
Leading Scorer	Jackie Young (10 pts)	Cecilia Zandalasini (14 pts)

The Experience Gap and the Final Push

The roster composition played a visible role in the game's tension. With A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum absent due to health issues, the U.S. Relied on a mix of established stars and seven players making their senior national team debuts. While the U.S. Led 30-24 at halftime, Italy responded with an 11-2 run to start the third quarter, eventually taking a 50-48 lead in the fourth.

The game was decided by a 7-0 run that saw the U.S. Veterans seize control. Stewart, who had missed eight straight shots, scored her first basket to take a 51-50 lead. Jackie Young then hit a layup following an offensive foul drawn by Chelsea Gray, and Gray later added a midrange jumper to extend the lead to five points with 1:07 remaining. Young finished with 10 points, six of which came in the final quarter.

The closing moments were marked by high tension. Italy's Matilde Villa narrowed the lead to three with less than a minute left. After a jump ball gave Italy the final possession, Cecilia Zandalasini attempted a three-pointer at the buzzer that missed.

Competing Perspectives on the Finish

The final play sparked a dispute over officiating. The Guardian reported that Zandalasini was seen shouting at referees after the buzzer, claiming she had been poked in the eye during her final shot. The Stamford Advocate noted that Zandalasini later apologized for her emotional reaction, stating,

"I would like to apologize for how I reacted in the end... It was a lot of emotions today, but I should have kept them inside of me a little better."

Cecilia Zandalasini, Italy Forward, via Stamford Advocate

From the American perspective, Coach Kara Lawson viewed the struggle as a learning opportunity.

"You do have to be able to win when you don’t have your fastball. We didn’t have a fastball tonight, but we figured it out late and we’ll grow from it."

Kara Lawson, USA Coach, via Boston Globe

The Global Context

Italy's performance is part of a broader trend of international volatility in the tournament. Beyond the scare given to the U.S., other upsets have occurred, including Mali defeating Spain and South Korea and Hungary both beating Nigeria. Italy's ability to compete is attributed in part to the professionalization of international rosters; Zandalasini, who scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, plays for the WNBA's Golden State Valkyries.

The U.S. Has won 32 consecutive World Cup games since 2006, and before Sunday, only one team — Australia in 2010 — had come within single digits of the Americans during that streak.

The immediate priority for both teams is Monday's slate of games. The United States faces the Czech Republic, currently ranked No. 17 in FIBA international rankings, for a chance to secure the top spot in their group. Simultaneously, Italy will face China in a match that will determine their ability to advance further in the tournament.

Performance Benchmarks and Historical Lows

The struggle in Berlin represents a rare statistical anomaly for a program that has won 32 consecutive World Cup games since a semifinal loss to Russia on September 21, 2006. According to The Score, the 55 points scored by the U.S. Is the lowest output in a preliminary-round game since 1971, when they recorded 51 points against France.

The offense was hindered by a pervasive inability to finish. Beyond the three-point struggles, Yahoo Sports reports the U.S. Shot 10 of 35 in the paint, missing high-percentage layups. This inefficiency was reflected in the individual lines: Caitlin Clark scored one point on 0-for-6 shooting, while Breanna Stewart finished with five points on 1-of-9 shooting, despite leading the team with 10 rebounds.

The disparity in composure was evident throughout the game's chronology. The U.S. Initially appeared dominant, leading 23-8 early in the second quarter and 30-24 at halftime. However, the momentum shifted violently in the second half. Italy used an 11-2 run to start the third quarter, causing the U.S. To trail 35-32 before reclaiming a slim 42-39 lead by the end of the period.

The tension peaked in the fourth quarter when Italy led 50-48 with 4:29 remaining. The U.S. Relied on buckets from four different players, Napheesa Collier, Stewart, Young, and Gray, to execute the 7-0 run that provided the winning margin. This sequence included a key offensive foul drawn by Gray with 3:03 remaining, which Coach Kara Lawson described as an incredible winning play via the Boston Globe.

The stakes remain high as both teams move into Monday's schedule. For Italy, a matchup against China will determine their ability to advance. For the U.S., the next step is a game against the Czech Republic, a team currently ranked No. 17 in FIBA international rankings. A victory over the Czechs would guarantee the U.S. The top spot in their group and a place in the quarterfinals.