USA Team Teaches Europe a Lesson in Shocking Quarterfinal Victory!

Kahleah Copper. | FIBA via Getty Images Team USA completed the Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico an undefeated 5-0 after getting an 84-70 win over Spain. The final margin of 14 points indicates Spain’s status as a higher-quality opponent, but also a reflects of the understandable “get-this-over-and-get-home” mindset of Team USA.

Returning to the starting lineup for acting head coach Nate Tibbetts was two of the players who helped kickstart Team USA after their sluggish start against New Zealand in Rhyne Howard and Jackie Young. They were joined by Chelsea Gray, the only American to start all five games, Dearica Hamby and Kahleah Copper, back on the court after sitting out the New Zealand win. The first five were steadily subbed out for Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Kelsey Plum, as the US likewise steadily established an advantage over Spain.

11-0 🇺🇸 #USABWNT run 👀 📺 TNT & HBO Max #USABWNT x #FIBAWWC pic. twitter. com/KPgJIuPsaK — USA Basketball (@usabasketball) March 17, 2026 However, Team USA traditionally has been at their very best in international competitions when defensive stops drive their offense.

Spain found a measure of success generating offense against the Americans in their own halfcourt, which forced the US to do the same. For Team USA, that resulted in some possessions with crisp ball movement that created effortless, open shots, balanced by others where second-guessing and searching for the “right” play resulted less beautiful basketball. That the US again went with single-big lineups until the very end of the contest, rotating out Hamby and Angel Reese, prevented Team USA from establishing a greater athletic edge over Spain.