With four outs remaining to clinch the championship, a two-run homer allowed threatened to snatch away the victory that seemed within reach. But Venezuela rallied in the top of the ninth inning, securing a 3-2 comeback win and their first-ever championship trophy. Venezuela defeated the "birthplace of baseball," the United States, to claim their first World Baseball Classic title.
Venezuela beat the United States 3-2 in the 2026 WBC final at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on March 18 (Korea time). After defeating defending champion Japan 8-5 in the quarterfinals and Italy 4-2 in the semifinals, Venezuela toppled the tournament's top favorite, the United States, in the final. Venezuela, whose best previous finish was the semifinals in 2009, won their first championship in their sixth tournament appearance.
The final between Venezuela and the United States drew attention as the "Maduro Match." The two nations met on the WBC stage just two months after the U.S. arrested and ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on drug trafficking charges through a military operation in January. U.S. President Donald Trump had sparked controversy the day before the game by posting on social media: "A lot of good things have been happening lately in Venezuela. Could it become statehood #51?" After the game ended, Trump again posted "STATEHOOD!!!" in a mocking tone, drawing criticism from baseball fans.
Venezuela's pitching was dominant. Starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (Arizona Diamondbacks) delivered an outstanding performance over 4⅓ innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out four with no runs. The bullpen that followed effectively shut down the powerful American lineup. The U.S. managed only three hits.
The scoreless tie broke in the top of the third inning. Venezuela's leadoff hitter, catcher Salvador Perez (Kansas City Royals), singled, Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves) walked, and McLain's wild pitch created a runners-on-second-and-third situation with one out. Maikel Garcia (Kansas City) then hit a sacrifice fly to give Venezuela a 1-0 lead. In the top of the fifth, leadoff hitter Wilyer Abreu (Boston Red Sox) launched a solo home run to extend the lead.
With just four outs remaining until victory, Venezuela allowed the U.S. to rally with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City) reached base on a walk, and Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) followed with a game-tying two-run homer to center field, resetting the score.
