US Survives Italy 55-52 in Fierce World Cup Battle
Source: KCRG Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
BERLIN — The United States women's national team endured its most grueling World Cup contest in nearly two decades on Sunday, escaping with a 55-52 win over Italy that tested every ounce of their championship composure. The Americans, who have dominated international basketball for years, found themselves locked in a defensive slog against a determined Italian squad that refused to back down.
Jackie Young emerged as the leading scorer with 10 points, but the offensive struggles were evident across the board. The U.S. shot a paltry 29% from the floor and connected on only one of twelve attempts from beyond the arc. It was the lowest scoring output in a World Cup victory for the Americans since they edged Australia 42-38 in 1967.
“You have to be able to win different ways in this tournament because every team stylistically plays a little bit different,” head coach Kara Lawson said. “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.”
The victory extended the U.S. winning streak in World Cup play to 32 games, dating back to a 2006 semifinal loss to Russia. Before Sunday, only one opponent — Australia in 2010 — had come within single digits of the Americans during that span. The growing competitiveness of the field was evident: in the 2024 Olympic gold medal game, the U.S. needed a one-point win over France to secure their eighth consecutive Olympic title.
Italy turned the game into a grind early, using a 2-3 zone defense that smothered the American offense. The U.S. started strong, building a 23-8 lead, but Italy responded with a 16-7 run to close the half trailing just 30-24. The Italians carried that momentum into the third quarter, unleashing an 11-2 burst to take a 35-32 advantage. The Americans managed to reclaim a 42-39 lead heading into the final period, but Italy continued to battle. With 4:29 left, the Italians took a 50-48 lead, silencing the largely pro-American crowd.
Then came the decisive push from the U.S. Breanna Stewart, who had missed all eight of her field goal attempts to that point, finally found the basket to put the Americans ahead 51-50. Chelsea Gray then drew an offensive foul with 3:03 remaining — a play Lawson later called “a big momentum changing play” and “an incredible winning play.” Young followed with a layup, and Gray added a jumper with 1:07 left to extend the lead to five. Italy’s Matilde Villa answered to cut the deficit to three, but on the final possession, Cecilia Zandalasini’s three-point try clanked off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
Despite the loss, Italy impressed in its first World Cup appearance since 1994. Zandalasini led all scorers with 14 points and played with fierce emotion. After the game, she apologized for her reaction toward an official at the buzzer, acknowledging the intensity of the moment. “I would like to apologize for how I reacted in the end,” she said. “It was a lot of emotions today, but I should have kept them inside of me a little better.”
Breanna Stewart praised Italy’s effort: “Obviously, Italy really kind of mucked up the game for us a little bit. It made it difficult for us to score. They are a tough team. Tons of respect to what they’ve done. And, just proud of the resiliency of this group.”
Lawson summed up the broader message for her players and the sport: “We’ve seen that through the tournament that every game feels like a dogfight. It’s really hard. On any given night, if you’re not prepared to play, you’ll lose. That’s awesome for our sport.”
In other World Cup action on Sunday, China edged the Czech Republic in overtime, Australia defeated Turkey, and Belgium topped Puerto Rico.
Article commentary
The U.S. women’s national team has long been the gold standard in international basketball, but Sunday’s 55-52 escape against Italy marks a significant moment in the sport’s evolving landscape. For years, the narrative has been one of American dominance — a team so deep and talented that games are often decided by halftime. Yet this contest underscores a shift that has been quietly building: the rest of the world is closing the gap. Consider the numbers. The U.S. shot a dismal 29% from the field, including 1-for-12 from three-point range. They missed layups, failed to establish an inside game, and looked disjointed against a disciplined Italian zone defense. That defense, a classic 2-3 scheme, forced the Americans out of rhythm and exposed a vulnerability that future opponents will surely study. The fact that Italy — a team that had not appeared in a World Cup since 1994 and lost to the U.S. by 34 points in a March qualifier — was able to push a basketball superpower to the brink speaks volumes about the sport’s globalization. Italy’s performance was not a fluke. The Italians executed their game plan with precision, controlling the tempo and making the Americans play at a pace they clearly disliked. Cecilia Zandalasini, playing with heart and fire, was a constant threat. Her emotional reaction at the final buzzer — and her subsequent apology — revealed the intensity of the moment. This was not just another loss; it was a near-uphill victory that validated the hard work of a program that has been rebuilding for decades. From the American perspective, the win showcases a different kind of strength: resilience. Great teams find ways to win even when they play poorly. Coach Kara Lawson recognized that, praising her squad’s ability to scrap and adapt. Breanna Stewart, despite a cold shooting night, came through when it mattered most. Chelsea Gray’s defensive hustle — drawing an offensive foul at a critical juncture — was the kind of winning play that doesn’t show up in box scores but defines championship DNA. Yet the broader implication is clear: the U.S. can no longer afford to coast. The 2024 Olympic gold medal game, a one-point victory over France, already hinted at this trend. Now, with the World Cup serving as a global stage, the message is even louder. Every game feels like a dogfight, as Lawson said, and that is good for the sport. Parity creates drama, and drama grows the game. For Italy, this loss is a victory of its own. They announced to the world that they belong on the same court as the best. For the United States, it is a wake-up call — a reminder that even dynasties must evolve. As the tournament progresses, the Americans will face more tests. How they respond will determine whether they remain the team to beat or become a team that gets beaten.