Team USA is the heavy favorite to win the gold medal at the ongoing FIBA Women’s World Cup, for obvious reasons. While their bid for a fifth straight gold medal got off to the perfect start against China, Italy proved to be a difficult test in the second game of the group stage.
Team USA eventually snagged a 55-52 win in a low-scoring affair. And well, fans quickly rushed to X to react.
WNBA Fans React to Team USA’s Hard-Fought Win Against Italy
Against Italy, Team USA was led by Jackie Young and Breanna Stewart. Young returned with 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Stewart had 11 rebounds, five points, and one steal. Meanwhile, Cecilia Zandalasini top-scored with 14 points, with the USA holding on late in the game to salvage the win.
Regardless, WNBA fans were quick to react, with this one claiming that Team USA still played like champions, simply because of the win.
“Team USA didn’t have their best game, but they still pulled out a win. That’s what champions do,” they wrote.
Team USA didn’t have their bast game but they still pulled out out a win. That’s what champions do.
— JD Walker (@jdwalker1912) September 6, 2026
This fan questioned the claim that Team USA won as a result of keeping composure, writing, “kept composure? Lol.”
kept composure? lol
— Erich🎗⭐⭐ (@erichthonius_) September 6, 2026
This fan thought that USA were at least partly helped by the referees, with a number of contentious calls going against ITaly. They wrote, “Refs vs Italy btw 😭”
Refs vs italy btw 😭
— Dex 😮💨 (@iamdexter21) September 6, 2026
Another fan mirrored that thought, writing, “It’s not a best game when refs dictate the outcome.”
Finally, this user expressed sadness for Italy, which undoubtedly pushed the tournament’s best team right to the wire. They wrote: “Sad for Italy but good game,”
BEST GAME OF THE WORLD CUP YET? 🤯
Italy 🇮🇹 gave USA 🇺🇸 a run for their money, but the reigning champs kept composure 🔥#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/hQyoBzWWGb
— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 6, 2026
The loss leaves Italy in a delicate position regarding qualification for the knockouts. They will need to win their final game against China, with the loser risking a tougher path through the knockout qualification round rather than outright elimination.
Meanwhile, Team USA has qualified for the knockouts and will play the Czech Republic in their final group-stage game.
Of course, fans will also be disappointed with the fact that none of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, or Paige Bueckers started the game. After the first win against China, a range of fans expected Clark and Reese to end up starting, especially considering the Indiana Fever star came off the bench to snag the Player of the Game honors. However, the wait continues for the time being regarding a star for Clark.
