Team USA Rallies From 14 Down, Wins 5th Straight Gold

Down by 14 points in the first half, Team USA showed the world exactly why they're the gold standard in women's basketball.

The U.S. women rallied to defeat France 97-79 on Sunday in Berlin, capturing their fifth straight FIBA Women's World Cup title and extending their tournament winning streak to 36 games. It was a rematch of the 2024 Olympic final where the Americans squeaked by France 67-66, but this time they left no doubt.

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart led the comeback with 22 points and 10 rebounds, earning her second World Cup MVP award. Jackie Young added 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Caitlin Clark and Kahleah Cooper both hit double figures in a true team effort.

"We did it by committee. Everybody stepped up," said veteran guard Chelsea Gray, who contributed 12 points. "There was a lot of noise out there and pretty sure we quieted that a little bit."

The turning point came in the third quarter when the Americans outscored France 30-12, flipping the script on what looked like a potential upset. The U.S. dominated the boards 38-25 and capitalized on 16 French turnovers to score 23 points.

France, playing in their first World Cup gold medal game, got 21 points from Dominique Malonga and 20 from WNBA standout Gabby Williams. But Williams scored just four points after halftime as the American defense locked in.

Why This Inspires

This victory showcases what's possible when talented athletes refuse to quit. Team USA's depth and resilience turned a double-digit deficit into a dominant 18-point win, proving that championship teams find ways to win even when the odds look grim.

Coach Kara Lawson praised her players for performing their best in the biggest moments. Stewart emphasized the team's special bond, noting how they thrived through every test on and off the court.

Young made history as the first player in Women's World Cup finals history to record at least 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a championship game. Stewart joined Young and Williams on the All-Tournament Team alongside Spain's Iyana Martin and Germany's Leonie Fiebich.

"We're the standard. We always have been," Stewart said after the game. "We are continuing to do that, especially with this gold medal."

For France, the silver medal marks their best World Cup finish ever and provides motivation heading into future competitions. Williams acknowledged the team has plenty to be proud of while vowing to use the disappointment as fuel.

The Americans now turn their attention to defending their title again in 2028.