World Cup roundup: Team USA survives Italy scare, China wins in OT as Australia and Belgium advance

Team USA 55, Italy 52

Team USA edged Italy 55-52 in Berlin on Sunday, September 6, marking the closest margin at a World Cup since 2006, according to NBC Sports. The result moved the Americans to 2-0, sealing first place in Group D and a spot in the quarterfinals as they chase a fifth consecutive World Cup title after four straight championships.

Jackie Young came up big in the fourth quarter, and Breanna Stewart made her only basket of the game late, according to The Guardian. Caitlin Clark had a quiet night, finishing with just 1 point after playing only one minute in the fourth quarter, as head coach Kara Lawson turned to a more experienced lineup down the stretch. Paige Bueckers, meanwhile, gave the Americans a lift off the bench.

Group D is made up of the United States, Czechia, Italy and China, with only the top finisher advancing directly to the quarterfinals while the second- and third-placed teams move on to a further qualification stage. Having already clinched top spot, Team USA closes out group play against Czechia on Monday, September 7.

China 74, Czechia 70 (OT)

China needed extra time to get past Czechia, winning 74-70 in overtime in a Group D thriller also played Sunday in Berlin, per the Associated Press. Han Xu scored 22 points and drew her team level at 53-53 in the final quarter after China had trailed for most of the game.

In overtime, Luo Xinyu opened the extra period with a 3-pointer before Han Xu scored off an offensive rebound to put China ahead 69-64, a cushion the team protected the rest of the way. The loss eliminates Czechia from the tournament, leaving the team winless in Group D heading into its final game against Team USA.

Australia 87, Turkey 71

Australia beat Turkey 87-71 for its second win of the tournament, reaching the final phase of the competition. Ezi Magbegor scored 21 points to power the Opals, who saw Turkey — playing in its first-ever World Cup — push back behind Sevgi Uzun’s 24 points.

The win sets up a group-deciding matchup against Belgium, according to the WNBL. Turkey, now 0-2 in Group C, closes out its group schedule against Puerto Rico on Monday, September 7, in a game to avoid finishing last.

Belgium 76, Puerto Rico 64

Belgium defeated Puerto Rico 76-64 on Sunday, with quarter scores of 20-13, 20-19, 18-18 and 18-14, to improve to 2-0 in Group C. Puerto Rico dropped to 0-2 with the loss.

Belgium’s perfect record sets up a group-deciding game against Australia (2-0) on Monday, September 7, while Puerto Rico faces Turkey (0-2) the same day in a matchup to avoid finishing at the bottom of the group.

Sunday’s four games were part of the group phase of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, being held in Berlin, Germany, from September 4-13 with a 16-team field.