USA found itself in a jam right in the first quarter of the FIBA World Cup Final. France created a 14-point lead in the second quarter, and things looked bleak for Team USA. It looked like France could finally end a dominant run of four consecutive World Cup wins by the Americans and stop the juggernaut that is Team USA from winning its fifth straight World Cup title.
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But the full story of the night was yet to be written, as even after dominating in the first half, it was ultimately the combination of raw talent and veteran poise that guided the USA to overcome their deficit and win the World Cup. Team USA, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and others wasted no time in sharing their reaction to this historic achievement.
“WORLD CUP GOLD MEDALIST!!!!!!!!!!!!🇺🇸🥇,” wrote Caitlin Clark on X just after the win.
Clark capped off a dominant and resilient display from the US, finishing the night with 12 points, while adding three assists and a rebound. And how could Clark’s alma mater stay away from showing their appreciation for their alum?
“B1G congrats to @CaitlinClark22 and her USA team for winning the gold! 🥇We’re so proud of you!🇺🇸Now, get home so we can watch you hoop in the playoffs with your Fever crew!😊👊🏼 God bless. Love you!” wrote Jan Jensen, the head coach of the Iowa Women’s Basketball team.
The celebratory posts were not limited to coaches and players, as the official X handle of Team USA also joined in on the occasion.
“It was always U.S. 🥇For the 12th time in #FIBAWWC history, we’re taking home Gold,” read the post by Team USA on X.
Clark’s Team USA teammate Angel Reese also shared a tacit one-letter response to mark this occasion.
“🥇.”
“Always blessed 🥇🥇. Feels great to bring home the gold!!!” wrote Aliyah Boston on X as she chipped in with her reaction.
This victory is the second time in two years that the USA has got the better of France for the gold medal, having bested them in the 2024 Paris Olympics Final as well. While France might have come in with a thirst for revenge, they were eventually overcome 97-79 by an American side led by Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young.
The pressure was on the US at the very start, and they found themselves trailing 17-31 with 7:27 left in the second quarter. However, Stewart, Young, and Kahleah Copper combined for a blistering 55 points through the game that saw the French lead quickly evaporate.
It was a completely different script in the second half, as the Americans ran riot. While the final buzzer showed an 18-point victory, the contest was decided well before then: the Americans peaked with a 27-point advantage at 86–59 with 6:05 remaining.
When the United States needed an anchor, Breanna Stewart delivered a masterclass to lead the team to victory. In just over 30 minutes, she put up 22 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, notching an efficiency index rating of 30 and a +8 plus/minus mark. Her efficiency in the paint—converting 7-of-10 two-pointers and sinking 8-of-9 from the free-throw line—provided the exact combination of finesse and aggression that broke the game wide open.
The French side played some of their best basketball, with Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga combining for 41 points, but it was not enough to hold off Team USA. The win capped off the USA’s 12th World Cup title, the most by any team in the tournament’s history.