Team USA faced its biggest challenge of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup so far, edging Italy 55-52 in a tense Group D clash in Berlin on Sunday.
The United States entered the match as heavy favorites but were chased all the way by an Italian side who refused to let the reigning power of the competition run away with things.
It was a tough performance for Team USA, but they kept their undefeated record intact and avoided what would have been a massive upset.
The win moved the U.S. to 2-0 in group play and clinched its spot in the quarterfinals, even as the Americans struggled to find any offensive rhythm for long stretches of the game.
Jackie Young Delivers in Crunch Time for Team USA
Team USA needed a closer in the final minutes against Italy, and Jackie Young answered the call with poise when the offense had gone cold for long stretches.
Young finished as the game-high scorer with 10 points, six of those coming in the fourth quarter alone, as the Americans fought to regain the lead after Italy surged ahead multiple times down the stretch.
Breanna Stewart struggled with her shot all night, hitting just one of nine attempts, yet she still grabbed eleven rebounds and drilled a go-ahead jumper with 3:20 left to put the Americans up 51-50 late in the fourth.
Angel Reese chipped in eight points off the bench, while Paige Bueckers added seven points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, showing the depth that Team USA relied on during a rough shooting night.
Chelsea Gray delivered a clutch pull-up jumper with 1:07 remaining that gave the Americans a crucial late cushion, sealing the tense win after Italy had repeatedly threatened to steal the lead in the closing minutes.
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Bad Shooting Threatens U.S. Title Aspirations
Team USA's biggest issue against Italy was shooting, as the Americans struggled to find any consistent rhythm from the field throughout the contest.
The Americans shot just 16 of 56 from the field, a mark of 28.6 percent, and connected on only 1 of 12 attempts from beyond the three-point line.
The team was 22 of 14 at the free-throw line against Italy, leaning on trips to the charity stripe to help offset the poor shooting from the field overall.
One of the worst shooting games of the night belonged to Caitlin Clark, who finished with just one point and missed all six of her shots against Italy's defense.
That was a stark contrast to her opening game against China, when she scored 14 points and dished out 11 assists in her World Cup debut for the United States.
A Depleted Roster Faces a Growing Concern
The shooting struggles didn't cost the United States the win, but they did expose a weakness that opponents may try to exploit in the knockout rounds ahead.
Italy's defense continually stymied the American attack and kept the U.S. from finding any offensive rhythm it had shown so easily against China in the opener.
With A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum out for the tournament, more responsibility has fallen on the rest of the roster to carry the offensive load down the stretch.
The Italy game showed Team USA can survive a bad offensive night, but relying on late-game escapes could become increasingly dangerous against stronger opponents.
Coaches and players alike will need to find offensive answers before the knockout stage begins, when a single cold shooting night could end the team's title hopes.
Italy Edges U.S. in Dramatic Conclusion
Italy was one good shot away from a huge upset, pushing the tournament favorite to the brink in front of a captivated crowd in Berlin.
Cecilia Zandalasini led Italy with 14 points and seven rebounds and helped keep the game close through the second half of the contest.
Italy fell behind early but chipped away at the American lead and eventually took the lead in the fourth quarter before the U.S. responded.
The last few seconds added another layer of drama, as Zandalasini missed a three-pointer that would have tied the game with three seconds remaining.
Breanna Stewart grabbed the rebound to pretty much end Italy's upset bid, sealing the 55-52 victory for the United States in dramatic fashion.
What Comes Next for Team USA and Italy
Zandalasini protested the play at the final buzzer and said she thought she was poked in the eye during the closing sequence of the game.
She later apologized to the officials for her reaction, saying she was carried away by the emotion of the moment after such a hard-fought contest.
The incident was part of an already tense finish to a game in which Italy had pushed the tournament favorite far beyond expectations all night.
Team USA will now turn its focus to the final Group D game against the Czech Republic as it looks to carry momentum into the knockout rounds.
Italy still have a way to go and will face China as the group stage continues, while the Americans know sharper shooting will be required ahead.
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Emily Parker
Sports Reporter
Emily Parker is an expert sports journalist, covering major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and the Olympics. She focuses on athlete stories, sports culture, and global sports events, bringing a unique perspective to the world of sports reporting.
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