World Baseball Classic: Venezuela shock United States 3-2 to win maiden title

Venezuela pulled off a stunning upset over the United States’ star-packed 'dream team', edging them 3–2 to claim their first-ever World Baseball Classic title on Tuesday. Playing at loanDepot Park in Miami, the South American side delivered a composed performance and held the lead for most of the game. They struck first and extended their advantage midway through, putting early pressure on a heavily favored US lineup.


The Americans finally responded in dramatic fashion in the eighth inning, when Bryce Harper blasted a two-run home run to level the score at 2–2, seemingly shifting momentum in their favor. However, Venezuela answered immediately in the ninth. After a leadoff walk and a stolen base put a runner in scoring position, Eugenio Suárez delivered a clutch RBI double to restore the lead at 3–2.



From there, Venezuela’s bullpen held firm, shutting down the US in the bottom of the ninth to seal a historic victory.


The triumph marks Venezuela’s maiden championship in the tournament and caps a remarkable run that included multiple upsets. For the United States, it’s another heartbreak in the final, having also finished runner-up in the previous edition after losing to Japan in 2023.

Venezuela’s fairytale campaign included a series of major upsets, as they defeated defending champions Japan in the quarterfinals and then overcame surprise semifinalists Italy to reach their first-ever World Baseball Classic final.

In the championship game, they struck early. Maikel García’s sacrifice fly in the third inning opened the scoring, and Wilyer Abreu extended the lead with a towering solo homer in the fifth to make it 2–0.

Team USA responded late, with Bryce Harper smashing a 432-foot, two-run homer in the eighth to tie the game. But Venezuela answered immediately in the ninth. Luis Arraez drew a leadoff walk, and pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second before Suárez delivered a clutch RBI double to put Venezuela back in front.

Venezuela’s pitching staff dominated throughout, allowing just a handful of hits. Starter Eduardo Rodríguez set the tone with over four scoreless innings.