World Baseball Classic: Venezuela takes down Team USA in championship game stunner

Source: Bergen Record, aka NorthJersey.com

MLB
Team USA runs out of steam in falling to Venezuela in 2026 WBC final

Andrew Tredinnick
NorthJersey.com
Updated March 17, 2026, 11:08 p.m. ET

It was Venezuela that proved it was built for the grand stage of the World Baseball Classic championship game. ... Up against the star-studded United States lineup, Venezuela's pitching staff did not back down. They rose up, limiting the U.S. hitters to two runs on three hits.

When Bryce Harper delivered an electric, game-tying two-run home run in the eighth inning, the Venezuelans manufactured an immediate answer.

Eugenio Suarez banged a ninth-inning RBI double to lift Venezuela to the World Baseball Classic title with a 3-2 victory over the United States on Tuesday night at loanDepot Park in Miami.

In the end, Venezuela's fire, passion and pride were on full display as they took down defending champion Japan, up-starts Italy, and the United States powerhouse en route to their first WBC title.

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Read more: https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/03/17/usa-venezuela-score-world-baseball-classic-2026-final-schedule/89194600007/

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First version:

Venezuela beats USA to win 2026 World Baseball Classic championship: Live updates and reaction

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/usa-vs-venezuela-live-score-updates-wbc-2026-result/oANdflbuIsnK/
live Updated 2m ago

Venezuela beats USA to win 2026 World Baseball Classic championship: Live updates and reaction

Venezuela won its first WBC title behind stellar pitching that held USA's star-studded lineup to just three hits


The Athletic Live Team
March 17, 2026 at 10:57 PM EDT


Javier Sanoja scores the go-ahead run for Venezuela in the ninth inning
Getty Images

2 New Updates
5m ago
Austin Green · Staff Writer, Live

Salvador Perez, the captain of this Venezuela team, just wrapped Ronald Acua Jr. in a bear hug and lifted him off the ground. Manager Omar Lpez is fully overcome in tears. What a moment!

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