Zandalasini's Late Flop Bid Fails in Italy's 55-52 Loss, Drawing WNBA Backlash

Q: Did Italy just expose a fatal flaw in the supposedly invincible US women's basketball team despite the controversial loss?

No—Italy exposed a vulnerability, not a fatal flaw. What Sunday’s 55-52 game showed is that the United States can be disrupted by a disciplined, physical defense, especially a 2-3 zone that slows tempo and clogs driving lanes. Italy “mucked up” the game, as Breanna Stewart put it, and the numbers support that: the U.S. shot about 29% from the field, went 1-for-12 from three, and produced its lowest World Cup scoring output in decades. Italy also erased an early 23-8 deficit and led 50-48 late, which is highly unusual against the Americans. But a fatal flaw would imply something opponents can reliably exploit to beat the U.S., and that is not yet proven. The Americans still won despite having an off night from nearly every area of the floor. They adjusted by attacking inside, getting to the free-throw line, and making key late defensive plays. Chelsea Gray’s charge and jumper, Stewart’s late go-ahead basket, and Jackie Young’s two-way play were enough to close on a 7-0 run. That speaks to depth, composure, and problem-solving rather than fragility. The bigger takeaway is that the margin is shrinking. Kara Lawson had already said the world is closing the gap, and Italy provided the clearest evidence yet. Opponents now have a useful blueprint: vary coverages, force half-court offense, contest the paint without fouling, and dare the U.S. to beat zone from outside. Whether that becomes a true weakness depends on whether the U.S. fixes its shooting and execution in the games ahead.

Q: How did a phantom foul call nearly end a historic 32-game World Cup winning streak for Team USA?

It nearly happened because Italy pushed the United States into one of its worst World Cup offensive performances in decades and still had a final possession to tie. The disputed play came at the end, when Cecilia Zandalasini drove at Jackie Young with Italy down 55-52 and believed she had been hit in the face or eye. No foul was called, she rushed a difficult shot that missed, and the Americans escaped. The “phantom foul” description reflects the debate around that last sequence: Italy argued there should have been a whistle, but reports and video reviews indicated there was little or no clear contact. Zandalasini herself later apologized for angrily confronting officials, saying her reaction was unsportsmanlike and embarrassing. What made the moment so significant was how close Italy came to ending the U.S. run. Team USA had won 32 straight Women’s World Cup games since losing in the 2006 semifinals, and almost never looked this vulnerable during that streak. Italy’s 2-3 zone disrupted the Americans, who shot only about 29% from the field and 1-for-12 from three-point range. Italy even led 50-48 late in the fourth quarter before the U.S. closed on a 7-0 run behind Breanna Stewart’s first basket of the game, Jackie Young’s late scoring, and Chelsea Gray’s charge and jumper. That gave Italy one final chance. If the no-call had gone the other way, Italy might have tied the game at the line or extended the possession, putting the historic streak in real danger.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Sep 7

Cecilia Zandalasini tried to sell a foul on Jackie Young in the final seconds of Italy's 55-52 loss to Team USA, but officials saw no contact and let play continue.
Down 3 in the Group D game, the Italian forward then had to reset and launch a desperation shot that missed, sealing the U.S. team's second tournament win.
Zandalasini, who finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds, confronted a nearby referee after the buzzer before later apologizing, saying emotion over wearing the Italy jersey got the better of her.
The clip quickly spread across social media, where WNBA and basketball fans mocked the play and compared it to foul-drawing tactics associated with LeBron James, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic.
Italy closes group play against China on Monday in Berlin, with the controversy overshadowing an otherwise tight game that nearly pushed the Americans to overtime.