USA holds off Spain, will play France for FIBA Girls’s World Cup gold: Highlights

Published On: September 13, 2026

Up to date Sept. 12, 2026, 8:47 p.m. ET

Group USA moved previous Spain within the semifinals of the FIBA Girls’s World Cup, 76-66, on Saturday, Sept. 12, in Berlin, Germany.

The U.S. will face France in an Olympic gold medal recreation rematch on Sunday.

Group USA received the fourth quarter, 18-8, over Spain and that was the distinction. They prolonged their World Cup profitable streak to 35 video games and can play for his or her fifth straight gold medal.

Breanna Stewart completed with 17 factors, six rebounds, one steal and one block to guide Group USA. Kahleah Copper added 13 factors. Jackie Younger got here up large with six of her 12 factors within the fourth quarter.

“Simply proceed to do the little issues. Honing in on the rebounding, ensuring that we have been attending to the offensive glass,” Stewart mentioned of the victory. “Defensively, we picked it up within the second half, however you understand, that is gonna be difficult. Clearly, we bought the most important one tomorrow, however that is why we’re right here. We’re going for gold, and that is what we’re gonna do.”

Iyana Martin and Maria Conde had 17 factors every for Spain.

America will play France, which it beat by one level on the 2024 Paris Olympics, on at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 13 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max). The French have eight WNBA gamers, led by former UConn star and present Golden State Valkyrie ahead Gabby Williams.

“Robust one. They seem to be a actually robust crew,” Stewart mentioned. “They’re capturing the (expletive) out of the ball this match, however we’ve got a fast turnaround and you understand we have been all locked in on Spain proper now. So now, in about half-hour, we’ll flip the web page for France.”

USA TODAY Sports activities is supplied stay protection, highlights and key moments from Saturday’s semifinal matchup:

USA extends result in 10 factors versus Spain at World Cup

Jackie Younger now has 10 factors, the third participant in double figures, and the US has a 10-point lead, 74-64, with 2:33 to go. Can the US shut it out?

USA has slight lead towards Spain with World Cup remaining on line

Do not blink. The semifinal recreation between the US and Spain. The USA holds only a six-point lead, 66-60, with 6:24 remaining. Spain’s main scorer, Iyana Martin, additionally simply picked up her fourth foul. Buckle up, people.

Finish of 3Q: USA 58, Spain 58

Identical to everybody drew it up, it is tied after three quarters, 58 all. Spain outscored the US 22-19 to drag even forward of the ultimate body. Guard Iyana Martin is to 17 factors to guide all scorers. Breanna Stewart has 12 for the US.

The People are capturing simply 39% from the ground, whereas Spain continues to shoot above 40%. Turnovers are additionally a problem. America has 14 to Spain’s 11. There’s only one quarter left between the gold medal recreation.

Spain’s Iyana Martin is giving USA all it will probably deal with

Iyana Martin’s pace is a critical challenge for the US. She has exploited a number of mismatches, particularly when bigs are matched on her to get downhill so quick. She has 13 factors to guide all scorers.

USA is attempting to construct some separation vs Spain at World Cup

It is not a lot, however the US has a six-point lead, 51-45, on the midway level of the third quarter. Breanna Stewart is now in double digits with 12 factors to guide the sphere.

USA vs Spain second half underway at World Cup

The second half of Spain vs USA is underway in Berlin. Spain opened up the third with a triple, however the US answered, and now the perimeters are buying and selling baskets on the seven-minute mark. United States leads 46-45.

Halftime: USA 39, Spain 36

It is a one-possession recreation on the half for the US and Spain. The People lead by three after two, capturing 35% from the sphere. Spain’s fouls are saving them. America has shot 27 free throws to Spain’s 12.

Nobody for both crew is in double figures. Iyana Martin leads Spain with eight factors and two steals. Breanna Stewart additionally has eight factors. She additionally has a block. America solely has six assists and 14 factors within the paint.

USA head coach Kara Lawson described her crew’s first-half efficiency as “uncharacteristic.” The People had eight turnovers between the primary two quarters and went 19-of-27 from the free throw line.

“We simply need to be a little bit extra exact in coverages and the place our assistance is. (Spain) makes you pay while you’re not exact,” Lawson mentioned. “We did get to the free throw line, however we missed greater than common. I really feel like we left some factors on the market on the ground, however I do know we can be aggressive and keep assured right here within the second half.”

USA’s 3-point capturing shouldn’t be nice vs Spain at World Cup

America has 25 free throws to maintain it within the recreation. The People are 2-for-8 from from the 3-point line after doing effectively from behind the arc towards Hungary.

USA’s Jackie Younger poked in eye

On the 3:33 mark of the second quarter, Jackie Younger was by accident poked within the left eye by Iyana Martin. Younger remained down for a number of moments earlier than attending to her ft. She drained certainly one of her two free throws earlier than Martin checked out with two fouls.

Chelsea Grey has a band-aid on proper eye

Chelsea Grey is again and enjoying on the World Cup, however she has a bandage underneath her proper eye.Rhyne Howard checked in on the 7:59 mark of the primary quarter after Grey appeared to take contact to her face, injuring her higher cheek.

Spain and USA buying and selling turnovers at World Cup semifinal recreation

Immediately’s World Cup matchup is definitely residing as much as the hype in the event you like turnover battles. Spain has 9 turnovers. America has eight turnovers. The protection is bodily and inflicting lots of empty possessions.

Spain’s Iyana Martin hits ridiculous 3-pointer at World Cup

You need to see this 3-pointer from Spain’s Iyana Martin. It logically is senseless, and in some way, it nonetheless went in. There was nothing Jackie Younger may do. Martin is as much as seven factors within the ball recreation.

USA’s Napheesa Collier in foul bother at World Cup

Like within the Italy recreation, Napheesa Collier is in foul bother. She has two fouls early, on the 7:06 mark of the second quarter. That is one thing to remember as FIBA play solely permits 5 complete fouls in a recreation.

Finish of Q1: USA 21, Spain 18

Spain bought off to a sizzling begin, however the US answered with a 14-2 run to take the lead and finish the primary quarter. America is rolling, with eight gamers scoring. Rhyne Howard led the group with 5 factors They’re capturing 43% from the sphere whereas Spain shoots 47%.

Spain has seven turnovers. Marina Conde and Awa Fam lead the crew with 5 factors every.

USA leads Spain after settling in at World Cup

The USA has rattled off an 8-0 run to get in entrance 17-16 with 1:40 remaining within the first quarter. The “younger and turnt” crew checked in, and the protection and tempo went up. Spain now has 5 turnovers.

Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston connection heating up at World Cup

USA is choosing up the tempo. With 2:51 remaining within the first quarter, Caitlin Clark discovered her Fever teammate Aliyah Boston underneath the basket with an ideal move for a straightforward layup to chop USA’s deficit to 1 possession, 16-13.

USA has early turnover points vs Spain at World Cup

Spain’s protection is giving the US points. The People have already got three turnovers within the first quarter. There’s nonetheless roughly half 1 / 4 to go. Spain’s defensive stress is creating points.

Chelsea Grey checks out of Spain vs USA World Cup recreation with harm

Rhyne Howard has checked in on the 7:59 mark after Chelsea Grey appeared to take contact to her face, injuring her higher cheek. The harm is on the precise facet of her face.

Spain is sizzling early vs USA at World Cup semifinal recreation

Spain has a 11-4 lead towards the USA lower than three minutes into the competition. Awa Fam bought the scoring began early with a triple, after which the buckets began coming after that. 4 Spain gamers scored on the seven-minute mark.

Spain’s Raquel Carrera blocks USA’s Kahleah Copper

Spain opened Saturday’s semifinal towards USA with a press release. USA’s Kahleah Copper drove to the basket within the opening minute of the matchup, however was denied by Spain’s Raquel Carrera with 9:46 remaining.

Spain vs USA is underway at World Cup

The sport has tipped off in Berlin, Germany. USA received the tip, however Awa Fam scored the sport’s first factors, a triple from deep.

Spain beginning lineup vs USA

USA beginning lineup vs. Spain

Group USA head coach Kara Lawson is not making any modifications to her beginning lineup. She’s sticking with the identical unit that has began all 4 video games within the match:

Kahleah Copper, G/F
Napheesa Collier, F
Chelsea Grey, G
Breanna Stewart, F
Jackie Younger, G

Breanna Stewart stats

Breanna Stewart is averaging 9.8 factors, seven rebounds and a pair of.8 assists via 4 video games this match. She’s capturing 48.4% from the sphere and 33.3% from the 3-point line. Stewart’s greatest recreation got here in USA’s 105-64 win over Czechia on Sept. 7 with 19 factors, seven rebounds and 6 assists in 17 minutes.

Megan DiLeo on faculty teammate Caitlin Clark: She’s ‘an incredible participant’

Spanish heart Megan DiLeo, who additionally performed faculty ball at Iowa and received participant of the 12 months honors, requested if having Clark come off the bench is a bonus for her crew.“I don’t suppose so,” DiLeo mentioned. “I believe she’s only a nice participant. It doesn’t actually matter when she goes into the sport. She’s going to make influence.

“We simply bought to be prepared for her and for the remainder of the roster. They’re proficient. They’re deep. It type of doesn’t actually matter who is available in. We simply need to be at our prime defensively and offensively.”

WNBA and LGPA commerce effectively needs earlier than USA’s World Cup recreation

How cool is that this? Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard of crew USA despatched effectively needs and good vibes to Nelly Korda and Alison Lee, who’re enjoying on the Solheim Cup within the Netherlands. Korda and Lee returned the favor by shouting out USA Basketball and wishing them good luck.

NBA legend Pau Gasol jokes with Sue Hen at World Cup

“Nerves kicking in? @S10Bird and I are nonetheless mates… for now,” Spain native and NBA legend Pau Gasol posted on social media Saturday from Berlin. Gasol additionally shared a photograph of managing director of the USA Girls’s Nationwide Group, Sue Hen.

USA is concentrated because it preps for an additional World Cup recreation

Candace Parker talks Spain vs USA in World Cup semifinal

“The semifinal has proved via historical past of time, that is the sport you gotta handle,” Candace Parker mentioned Saturday. “So I believe USA, they refocused after that Italy recreation, and typically it is nice to have a mirror recreation … to have the ability to proper the improper earlier than you go into elimination (video games).”

USA prepares to swimsuit up vs Spain at World Cup

Spain is on web site at World Cup for recreation vs USA

Caitlin Clark talks coming off the bench for Group USA

“I perhaps have not come off the bench in a extremely very long time in my profession,” Caitlin Clark mentioned.

“I do not know when the final time (was). However it turns into regular to you. You discover your function, you discover your rhythm and, you understand, I really feel prefer it’s been fairly simple for myself. However yeah, you simply attempt to discover any little methods you possibly can assist the crew.”

Clark is not capturing in addition to she sometimes does (32.3% from the sphere). Nevertheless, she had a double-double (14 factors, 11 assists) towards China to open World Cup play and a close to double-double towards Hungary on Sept. 10 (10 factors, 9 assists.

Clark is averaging seven assists throughout 4 matchups, which leads Group USA. That common can be on tempo to doubtlessly breaks Daybreak Staley’s United States file (5.8 assists per recreation) set in 1998.

The winner of Saturday’s semifinal recreation between Spain and the U.S. will play France. The French, who’re enjoying within the World Cup remaining for the primary time within the nation’s historical past, ended a 73-year medal drought on the match. They’re now assured to make the rostrum for the primary time for the reason that World Cup started in 1953.

Spain wears customized shirts forward of World Cup semifinal vs USA

The Spain nationwide crew is sporting superior customized shirts forward of its matchup towards the US on Saturday. The shirt has the names of 21 gamers who helped the crew get up to now and has a particular phrase throughout the highest ― “El Mundial de Todas” ― that loosely interprets to “The World Cup of Everybody” or “Everybody’s World Cup”.

Pos.	No.	Identify	Age	Peak	Membership
G	4	Paige Bueckers	24	6’0″	Dallas Wings
G	5	Sonia Citron	22	6’1″	Washington Mystics
SF	6	Rhyne Howard	25	6’2″	Atlanta Dream
G/F	7	Kahleah Copper	32	6’1″	Phoenix Mercury
G	8	Chelsea Grey	33	5’11”	Las Vegas Aces
PF	9	Kiki Iriafen	23	6’3″	Washington Mystics
PF	10	Breanna Stewart	32	6’3″	New York Liberty
SF	11	Napheesa Collier	29	6’1″	Minnesota Lynx
G	12	Caitlin Clark	24	6’0″	Indiana Fever
G	13	Jackie Younger	28	6’0″	Las Vegas Aces
C	14	Aliyah Boston	24	6’5″	Indiana Fever
PF	15	Angel Reese	24	6’3″	Atlanta Dream

Spain roster

Head coach: Miguel Méndez
Assistant coach: Cristina Cantero, Raquel Romo, Anna Montañana

Pos.	No.	Identify	Age	Peak	Membership
G	2	Elena Buenavida	22	5’9″	Valencia Basket
PG	4	Mariona Ortiz	34	6’0″	Basket Zaragoza
G	5	Maite Cazorla	29	5’10”	USK Praha
SF	7	Alba Torrens	37	6’4″	AzulMarino Palma
SF	9	Helena Pueyo	25	6’0″	Valencia Basket
SF	10	Maria Conde	29	6’3″	Toronto Tempo
C	11	Awa Fam	20	6’4″	Seattle Storm
C	14	Raquel Carrera	24	6’3″	New York Liberty
C	17	Megan DiLeo	29	6’4″	Portland Hearth
PG	18	Alicia Flórez	22	5’9″	Washington Mystics
C	20	Paula Ginzo	28	6’2″	Žabiny Brno
PG	44	Iyana Martín	20	5’9″	Spar Girona

Girls’s World Cup: What time is USA vs. Spain?

Group USA faces off towards Spain within the semifinal spherical of the FIBA Girls’s World Cup at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Berlin Enviornment in Berlin, Germany.

Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
Time: 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT)
Location: Berlin Enviornment (Berlin)

What TV channel is USA vs. Spain on in the present day?

TNT has the unique U.S. English-language rights. All video games are streaming on HBOMax. Seventeen of these video games air on TNT and truTV, together with each U.S. recreation.