National pride fuels Venezuela to first World Baseball Classic championship
By Rory Carroll
Published on March 18, 2026.
Venezuela has won its first World Baseball Classic title with a 3-2 upset over the United States. The victory was achieved through team unity and national pride, according to players. Eugenio Suarez scored the decisive run in the ninth inning, while Venezuela's pitchers limited the U.S. lineup to three hits. The team's win was part of a remarkable championship run, which included a comeback over defending champion Japan and a rally against Italy. Manager Omar Lopez praised the team's preparation and performance. The loss for Team USA was another setback for the second consecutive WBC final.
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