U.S. wins fifth straight women’s FIBA World Cup title after overcoming 14-point deficit against France
United States rallies past France to claim another Women’s World Cup crown
Wertynews.com – The United States added another major chapter to its long-running dominance of women’s international basketball, defeating France 97-79 to secure a fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s World Cup championship. The final score reflected a commanding finish, but the Americans had to recover from their most difficult stretch of the tournament before taking control after halftime.
France built a 14-point advantage in the first half and briefly appeared capable of ending the U.S. run. Instead, a veteran-led response shifted the momentum, sending the Americans to their 36th straight World Cup victory. That streak reaches back to the 2006 semifinals, when the United States lost to Russia.
The gold medal also kept the Americans perfect in World Cup title games since their second-place finish behind the Soviet Union in 1983. They are now 9-0 in championship contests during that span.
France makes an early statement
The French team entered the final with a chance to earn its best-ever finish at the event, and it played with the confidence of a side ready to challenge the reigning champions. France led 20-17 after the opening quarter, then delivered an even stronger surge early in the second.
The United States was held scoreless while France scored the first 11 points of the period. Gabby Williams capped that sequence with a 3-pointer that pushed the French lead to 31-17, the largest deficit the Americans faced during this World Cup.
France’s attack was paced by Dominique Malonga, who scored 21 points, and Williams, who added 20. The performance came two years after France narrowly missed Olympic gold in Paris, losing to the United States by one point in the 2024 Olympic final. That defeat remained a significant point of motivation for the French players, who were again close to the top prize on the sport’s biggest stage.
Veterans steady the American comeback
Despite the difficult start, the U.S. did not allow the game to slip away. Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young provided the stability needed to erase most of the gap before the break. Caitlin Clark then connected on a 3-pointer just before halftime, cutting France’s lead to 45-43 and giving the Americans a clear path back into the contest.
That late first-half basket proved important because it changed the atmosphere entering the third quarter. The U.S. returned from halftime with much more energy and immediately turned its pressure into points.
An 11-2 run to open the third period gave the Americans a 54-47 lead. Stewart scored four points during the decisive burst, helping transform a narrow halftime deficit into a seven-point advantage. France trimmed the margin to 55-51, but it could not maintain that resistance.
The Americans answered with a 16-3 run that effectively settled the championship. France was assessed two unsportsmanlike fouls on the same play during that stretch, and the U.S. took full advantage of the opportunity. By the end of the third quarter, the lead had grown to 73-57, leaving France with too much ground to make up in the final 10 minutes.
Stewart earns MVP honors
Stewart finished with 22 points and was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. The title was her fourth at the Women’s World Cup, further emphasizing her place at the center of the American program’s sustained success.
Young supplied 18 points and joined Stewart in carrying the United States through the game’s most consequential sequences. Their experience was especially valuable for a roster that included several players making their first appearances with the national team.
This was the second-youngest World Cup squad the United States has sent to the tournament. Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers were among the newcomers receiving their first national-team experience, while the veterans handled much of the responsibility in the final.
The combination of experienced leaders and emerging players offered a reminder that the U.S. program continues to develop even while it remains the standard in international competition. The final demanded more from the Americans than several of their earlier games, giving younger players a close look at the pressure and adjustments required in a championship setting.
A more competitive route to gold
The Americans were tested more frequently in this tournament than they had been during much of their recent World Cup run. Italy came within three points of upsetting the U.S. in pool play, the closest group-stage result involving the Americans in 50 years. Spain then lost by 10 in the semifinal, the tightest semifinal margin during the current World Cup winning streak.
Before the final, the United States had won its previous four medal-round games by an average of 26 points. France’s first-half lead therefore stood out as a rare moment of vulnerability for a team accustomed to controlling games early.
Ultimately, however, the conclusion was familiar. The United States navigated its toughest challenge, dominated the second half and left the tournament with gold for the fifth straight time. France departed with silver and its highest-ever finish in the competition, while Spain defeated host Germany to claim the bronze medal.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is U S wins fifth straight women?U S wins fifth straight women is the main topic of this guide. The article explains the context, practical details, and next steps readers should understand.
Why does U S wins fifth straight women matter?U S wins fifth straight women matters because readers are looking for a useful answer, not just a short summary. Good content should match search intent and help them decide what to do next.