Caitlin Clark scores one point against Italy
Caitlin Clark scored one point in 19 minutes as the United States defeated Italy 55-52 on September 6, 2026, in Berlin. She added four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two turnovers during the game.
The Indiana Fever guard did not make a field goal, finishing zero for six from the floor and one for two at the free throw line. Team USA survived a close finish after entering unbeaten.
Caitlin Clark misses all six field goals
Clark missed all six field goal attempts against Italy, including three tries from beyond the arc. Her only point came from a free throw, marking the first game of her college or WNBA career in which she failed to make a field goal.
She finished plus-six in plus-minus while recording a minus-two efficiency rating across 19 minutes. The two measures describe different aspects of performance, separating her team’s scoring margin while on the court from her individual box-score production.
Caitlin Clark sets debut assist record
Clark opened the World Cup against China with 14 points, 11 assists, and three rebounds in a 94-61 United States victory. She made four of nine field goals and completed 25 minutes without a turnover.
Her 11 assists set a United States record for a Women’s World Cup debut. Alyssa Thomas held the previous American debut mark with nine assists against Belgium during the opening game of the 2022 tournament.
Team USA has lowest World Cup total since 1984
Team USA made 16 of 56 field goal attempts against Italy, a 28.6% rate, while converting only one of 12 tries from three-point range. Jackie Young was the only American scorer to reach 10 points.
The 55-point total was America’s lowest in a Women’s World Cup game since 1984, when scoring from beyond the arc entered the competition. That result followed a 94-point opening performance against China two days earlier.
Italy keeps Team USA within one score
Italy stayed within reach after the United States led 19-8 at the end of the first quarter. The game featured eight lead changes, seven ties, and the largest American advantage of 15 points in Berlin.
Italy held the lead for five minutes and 48 seconds, while the United States led for 30 minutes and 34 seconds. A crowd of 9,232 attended the Group D contest in Berlin on September 6.
Kara Lawson turns to veteran lineup
Head coach Kara Lawson relied heavily on her veteran group as Team USA protected its fourth-quarter lead. Clark played 19 minutes overall, while the Americans leaned on Breanna Stewart, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper and Napheesa Collier during the tense closing stretch.
Stewart hit the go-ahead jumper with 3:20 remaining, Young followed with a basket, and Gray added a pull-up jumper with 1:07 left to give the Americans a cushion. Young then grabbed a crucial rebound after Gray missed a late shot as the U.S. held on for the victory.
Kara Lawson stresses accountability
Lawson addressed Italy’s performance by stressing accountability. She told players not to “excuse away what happened” and urged them to review their level honestly before returning to work for the next Group D assignment.
The coach also said Team USA wanted to become the tournament’s most improved group from start to finish. She identified clear areas for progress before the Americans faced Czechia in Berlin on September 7.
Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese contribute
Paige Bueckers scored seven points with five rebounds and two assists against Italy. Angel Reese added eight plus a pair of blocks, while both younger players spent most of the closing stretch on the bench.
Young became the only American to reach double figures, scoring 10 points on four of six field goals. She produced six in the fourth quarter as Team USA recovered from several Italian leads in Berlin.
Team USA secures quarterfinal place
The victory over Italy secured first place in Group D and sent the United States directly to the quarterfinals. Winning the group also gave the team an extra rest day before the elimination stage resumed in Berlin.
Team USA completed group play with a 3-0 record after defeating Czechia. That result extended the program’s Women’s World Cup winning streak to 33 games, preserving its unbeaten run entering the quarterfinal round in Berlin.
Caitlin Clark responds against Czechia
Clark bounced back against Czechia with nine points, seven assists, and one rebound in 22 minutes. She made three of eight field-goal attempts as the United States rolled to a 105-64 victory on September 7.
After the game, Clark said Team USA’s chemistry was “slowly building” and pointed to improved offense, pace, transition play, and defense. The Americans produced a much stronger performance one day after their narrow win over Italy.
Fun fact: Clark left Iowa with 3,951 points, the NCAA Division I scoring record across both women’s and men’s basketball. That is a fairly absurd résumé before turning pro.
Caitlin Clark averages 6.3 assists
Through three World Cup games, Clark has totaled 24 points, 19 assists and eight rebounds across 66 minutes. She has converted 30.4% of her field-goal attempts and 25% from three-point range.
Clark has also recorded four turnovers, one steal, a cumulative plus-58 plus-minus mark and a 30 efficiency total. Her 6.3 assists per game currently rank third in the tournament as Team USA enters the quarterfinal stage.
Caitlin Clark entered Berlin as MVP
Clark arrived in Berlin after earning the qualifying tournament MVP award in San Juan. Across five games, she averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 assists as the United States completed the event with a 5-0 record.
During that qualifying run, Clark made 52.9% of her field goal attempts and 40% from three-point range. She also posted an average efficiency of 14.6, the best on the American roster during the event in San Juan.
Caitlin Clark continues to leave her mark beyond the court as her collectibles gain attention. Dive into how the WNBA gave the Indiana Fever star another place in sports card history.
Team USA awaits Hungary or Japan
The United States is scheduled to play a quarterfinal on September 10 against the winner of the Hungary-Japan match. Their qualification game is September 8, with the result determining Team USA’s next opponent in Berlin.
Team USA enters the knockout stage at 3-0 while pursuing a fifth consecutive Women’s World Cup title. If the Americans advance, the semifinals are scheduled for September 12 and the championship game for September 13.
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Caitlin Clark bounced back after a difficult game against Italy, but should Team USA keep trusting younger stars in close contests or lean on veterans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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