The game, played March 10 before a crowd of 38,653, marked one of the biggest surprises in WBC history. Italy, often viewed as an underdog with a roster blending Italian-American talent and European prospects, improved to 3-0 in Pool B play. The United States fell to 3-1, no longer in control of its destiny heading into the final day of pool competition.

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Italy built an early lead with power hitting and strong pitching, then held off a furious late rally from the star-studded U.S. lineup. The Azzurri's offense exploded for eight runs, powered by multiple home runs, including contributions from standout performers like Jac Caglianone, who launched a key two-run shot in the fourth inning to extend the lead. Sam Antonacci also went deep, helping fuel the attack against a U.S. pitching staff that struggled to contain the Italian bats.

Michael Lorenzen, pitching for Italy, delivered a dominant performance, tossing 4 2/3 scoreless innings in relief or as an opener to stifle the American lineup early. His effort set the tone, allowing Italy to maintain momentum through the middle innings.

Team USA mounted a comeback in the later frames, highlighted by Pete Crow-Armstrong's pair of home runs, including a solo shot that pulled the score to 8-6 in the ninth. With the tying run at the plate, Aaron Judge struck out swinging to end the threat, sealing the dramatic victory for Italy.

The loss drops the U.S. into a precarious position in Pool B standings. Italy sits atop at 3-0, while the United States and Mexico (2-1 entering Wednesday) vie for the two quarterfinal berths from the group. Only the top two teams advance from each pool in the round-robin format.

The tournament, running from March 5-17 across venues in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston and Miami, features 20 national teams competing for global supremacy. Pool B action at Daikin Park has delivered high drama, with the United States previously posting convincing wins over Brazil (15-5) and Great Britain (9-1), plus a tight 5-3 victory against Mexico.

Italy's triumph has been celebrated as a landmark moment for the program, showcasing the depth of baseball talent with Italian heritage, particularly from MLB players eligible through dual citizenship or ancestry. The victory drew praise across the baseball world, with commentators noting the Azzurri's composure against a U.S. roster loaded with major league stars.

As of Wednesday morning in Korea (early March 12 KST), the outcome leaves Team USA reliant on the result of Italy's matchup against Mexico, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET Wednesday at Daikin Park (broadcast on Tubi in the U.S.). A Mexican win could propel them alongside Italy, potentially eliminating the United States via tiebreakers. Conversely, an Italian victory would secure both Italy and the U.S. advancement, given the pool's structure and potential scenarios involving run differential or head-to-head results.

Tiebreaker rules for three-way deadlocks prioritize head-to-head records among tied teams, followed by runs allowed per inning or other metrics if needed. The United States entered the Italy game expecting to clinch a spot with a win, but the upset has shifted the narrative dramatically.

The quarterfinals begin Friday, March 13, with matchups at loanDepot Park in Miami and Daikin Park in Houston. Semifinals follow March 15-16, culminating in the championship final March 17 in Miami. The United States, winners of the inaugural WBC in 2006 and 2017 runners-up, aims to rebound and contend for the title, but the path now requires external help.

Italy's players and coaches expressed pride postgame, emphasizing the significance for baseball development in their country. "This is huge for Italian baseball," one player noted in highlights, crediting team unity and preparation.

For Team USA, the focus shifts to monitoring Wednesday's action while preparing for potential knockout play. Manager and players alike acknowledged the competitive nature of the tournament, where no opponent can be taken lightly.

The 2026 edition has already produced memorable moments, from Japan's dominant showings to underdog surges. Italy's win over the United States ranks among the most shocking, injecting fresh excitement into the global event.

As Pool B concludes, all eyes turn to the Italy-Mexico showdown. The result will determine whether the United States advances or faces an early exit—a scenario few anticipated at the tournament's outset.