FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup — Defending champion USA beats Spain to reach final

Though Spain started on a high, Caitlin Clark of USA sparked an 11-0 run, turning the game around as the defending champion eventually won the contest. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Defending champion United States pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat ​Spain 76-66 on Saturday and book its place in ‌the Women’s World Cup final after being ​tested for much of the contest.

The ⁠Americans, who have won the last four world titles, will face France on Sunday after it defeated host Germany ‌to punch their maiden World Cup final ticket.

It will be a repeat of ‌the 2024 Olympics women’s final which the United ‌States ⁠won by a point.

Underdog Spain made ⁠a flying start, surging into a 9-1 lead as their aggressive defence caught the Americans off guard. But the tournament ​favourite quickly responded, with ‌a second unit led by Caitlin Clark sparking an 11-0 run that turned the game around and gave the United States a 20-16 advantage.

It held on to its lead despite a ​spirited Spain fightback led by Iyana Martin, taking a three-point lead into half-time as ⁠the European side refused to surrender.

With a 9-2 run and Megan Gustafson scoring four, the Spaniards ‌drew level at the end of the third quarter.

American captain Breanna Stewart — the team’s top scorer with 16 points — combined stout defence with four straight free throws to help the United States open up a 10-point cushion in a decisive ‌fourth quarter.

The Americans never relinquished their lead as Spain faded ​down the stretch.