U.S. women beat Spain 76-66 to reach the FIBA World Cup final against France

Breanna Stewart and Kahleah Copper led the U.S. women’s basketball team to a 76-66 victory over Spain, securing a spot in the FIBA World Cup championship game. The Americans will face France, echoing their narrow win in the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal match. The U.S. team has maintained an impressive 35-game winning streak in the World Cup since their last loss in 2006. Despite struggling offensively against Spain’s physical defense, the U.S. capitalized on free throws, making 27 out of 35 attempts. The game was closely contested, with the score tied at 58 entering the fourth quarter. However, the U.S. pulled ahead with a decisive 12-2 run, ultimately securing their largest lead. Spain will compete against Germany for the bronze medal. The U.S. aims for a fifth consecutive World Cup title, matching the former Soviet Union’s record. QUESTION: How might the U.S. team’s continued success in international basketball influence the sport’s popularity and development in the country?