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Cecilia Zandalasini and Italy came within one shot of producing one of the biggest surprises of the FIBA Women’s World Cup. Italy challenged the United States throughout Sunday’s dramatic Group D contest, but the Americans escaped with a narrow 55-52 victory after Zandalasini’s potential game-tying three-pointer missed at the buzzer.
The result extended Team USA’s remarkable World Cup winning streak to 32 games, dating back to a semifinal loss to Russia in 2006. However, the final score revealed just how fiercely Italy competed. The Americans endured their most difficult World Cup test in nearly two decades and scored their fewest points in a World Cup victory since beating Australia 42-38 in 1967.
Cecilia Zandalasini Leads Italy’s Fearless Challenge
Zandalasini finished with 14 points to lead Italy, which is appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 1994. Her performance helped Italy recover from an early deficit and remain in contention until the final possession.
Italy fell behind 23-8 during the opening stages, as the United States appeared headed for another comfortable win. The Italians changed the rhythm of the game with a 2-3 zone defense, forcing the Americans into difficult shots and disrupting their offensive flow.
A 16-7 Italian run cut the deficit to 30-24 by halftime. Italy continued its surge after the break, using an 11-2 stretch to move ahead 35-32 in the third quarter. The United States entered the final period with only a 42-39 advantage.
Italy eventually took a 50-48 lead with 4:29 remaining, putting real pressure on the tournament favorite. The Americans then responded with a decisive 7-0 run, but Italy continued to fight until the closing seconds.
Team USA Survives a Dramatic Final Stretch
Jackie Young led the United States with 10 points and provided important offense during a night when the team struggled to find consistency. Breanna Stewart, who missed her first eight shots, finally scored to give the Americans a 51-50 lead.
One of the game’s defining moments came when Chelsea Gray drew an offensive foul with 3:03 left. Young followed with a layup, helping Team USA regain control. Gray later added a jumper with 1:07 remaining to give the Americans a five-point cushion.
Italy refused to surrender. Matilde Villa scored to reduce the margin to three, and the United States missed opportunities to turn the game into a more comfortable two-possession contest. That left Italy with one final chance after gaining possession late in the game.
Zandalasini took the decisive three-point attempt, but the shot went wide at the buzzer. The miss ended Italy’s upset bid and secured Team USA’s second victory of the tournament.
A Major Warning for the Defending Champions
Although the United States won, its offensive numbers were concerning. Team USA shot just 29% from the field and made only one of 12 attempts from three-point range. The Americans also missed several layups, allowing Italy to remain within striking distance.
“You have to be able to win different ways in this tournament because every team stylistically plays a little bit different,” U.S. coach Kara Lawson said, according to ESPN and information from The Associated Press. “We didn’t have a fastball tonight, but we figured it out late and we’ll grow from it.”
Breanna Stewart credited Italy for making the game difficult, while Gray acknowledged that the Americans missed shots they would normally expect to make. Lawson specifically praised Gray’s late charge as an “incredible winning play.”
The close call also reflects the increasingly competitive state of international women’s basketball. The United States won its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in 2024, defeating France by one point in the final. Yet the margin between Team USA and the rest of the world continues to narrow.
What Comes Next for Italy and the United States?
The United States improved to 2-0 and advanced ahead of its final group game against the Czech Republic, which was eliminated after two losses. Italy dropped to 1-1 and will face China on Monday in another important Group D matchup.
For Zandalasini and Italy, the narrow loss offered both disappointment and encouragement. The team demonstrated that disciplined defense, patience and timely scoring can trouble even the tournament favorite. The Italians also showed resilience after trailing by 15 points early.
For Team USA, the victory keeps its historic streak alive but provides a clear reminder that every game at this World Cup demands full concentration. As Lawson noted, teams can lose on any night if they are not prepared to compete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cecilia Zandalasini?
Cecilia Zandalasini is an Italian basketball player who led Italy with 14 points against Team USA at the FIBA Women’s World Cup.
What happened to Cecilia Zandalasini’s final shot?
Zandalasini attempted a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied the game, but the shot missed and the United States won 55-52.
What was the final score between Italy and Team USA?
Team USA defeated Italy 55-52 in a tightly contested World Cup game on Sunday.
How many consecutive World Cup games has Team USA won?
The United States has won 32 straight World Cup games, with its most recent victory extending the streak that began after a 2006 semifinal loss to Russia.
