Mali vs Spain Women’s Basketball World Cup: Stunning 82-73 Upset

The Mali vs Spain Women’s Basketball World Cup matchup delivered one of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far, with Mali stunning Spain 82-73 in Berlin on Saturday.

Mali entered the game looking to recover from its opening-round defeat to Japan, but few would have expected the African side to overcome one of the strongest teams in international women’s basketball. Instead, Mali produced a remarkable second-half performance and turned a close contest into a historic victory.

The result marked just the second World Cup win in Mali’s history. The country’s previous victory came in 2010, when Mali defeated Senegal in overtime.

For Spain, the defeat left the team with a 1-1 record, while Mali also moved to 1-1 after two games. The result has made the Group A standings considerably more competitive.

Mali vs Spain Women’s Basketball World Cup: How the Upset Happened

The game initially appeared to be heading in Spain’s direction. Mali went into halftime trailing by two points, leaving Spain in a strong position to control the second half.

However, the momentum changed dramatically after the break.

Mali came out with greater intensity in the third quarter and began putting pressure on Spain at both ends of the court. The African team eventually outscored Spain 31-19 during the period, completely changing the shape of the contest.

The decisive moment came when Mali was behind 45-44. From there, the team produced a 16-4 scoring run that gave it control of the game.

That stretch included two important three-pointers from Sika Kone, whose contribution became one of the defining stories of Mali’s historic victory.

Mali Women’s Basketball Team Turn the Game Around in the Third Quarter

The third quarter was where Mali’s comeback really took shape.

After being two points behind at halftime, Mali increased its offensive pressure and found better opportunities from outside. Spain struggled to respond as the African team continued to build confidence.

A 31-19 advantage in the third quarter gave Mali a significant lead heading into the final period. Rather than allowing Spain to regain momentum, Mali continued attacking.

The team then scored the opening five points of the fourth quarter, creating even more separation. Another three-pointer from Kone was part of that early fourth-quarter surge.

Spain never managed to reduce the deficit to fewer than nine points during the remainder of the game, allowing Mali to close out an impressive 82-73 final score.

Sika Kone Leads Mali With 19 Points and 10 Rebounds

Sika Kone played a central role in the Mali basketball upset.

The forward finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, recording a double-double while providing the scoring spark her team needed during the most important stretch of the game.

Kone made two three-pointers during Mali’s crucial 16-4 run and added another from beyond the arc early in the fourth quarter.

Her performance was particularly notable because Kone also plays in the WNBA for the Atlanta Dream, bringing international and professional experience to Mali’s lineup.

Djeneba N’Diaye matched Kone’s scoring total with 19 points, giving Mali two players who reached double figures in a major way.

Mali’s 16-4 Run Changes the Course of the Spain Game

The 16-4 scoring run was arguably the turning point of the entire Mali vs Spain Women’s Basketball World Cup contest.

Mali had been trailing 45-44 when the run began. Within a short period, the African side had moved from a narrow deficit into a commanding position.

Kone’s three-point shooting helped fuel the surge, but Mali’s overall improvement after halftime was just as important. The team managed to maintain its attacking rhythm while preventing Spain from immediately answering.

Once Mali established its advantage, the pressure shifted entirely onto Spain.

The scoring run demonstrated how quickly momentum can change in international basketball, particularly when a team begins converting its opportunities and playing with confidence.

Spain Women’s Basketball Team Unable to Stop Mali’s Second-Half Surge

Spain had control of the contest at halftime but could not maintain that advantage after the break.

The Spain basketball team struggled to contain Mali’s third-quarter scoring burst, allowing the African side to take the lead and then extend it.

Iyana Martin was Spain’s leading scorer with 20 points, but her individual performance was not enough to prevent the upset.

Spain entered the tournament as one of the leading teams in the world, making the defeat particularly significant. After falling behind in the second half, Spain never found a sustained response to Mali’s scoring pressure.

The loss puts Spain at 1-1 in the competition and adds further uncertainty to Group A.

Mali Secure Just Their Second Win in Women’s Basketball World Cup History

The victory over Spain was more than just another result for Mali.

It was only the second Women’s Basketball World Cup victory in the country’s history. Mali’s first win came against Senegal in overtime in 2010.

The record now stands at 2-10 across Mali’s World Cup history, making the 82-73 victory even more significant.

For an African basketball team facing one of the world's strongest sides, defeating Spain represents a major moment on the international stage.

Mali had already shown its competitiveness in the tournament opener, losing 102-97 to Japan. Against Spain, however, the team found a way to turn that competitive effort into a historic result.

Germany vs Japan: Hosts Claim First Women’s Basketball World Cup Victory

Germany also celebrated its first win of the tournament by defeating Japan 74-58 in front of a sold-out home crowd.

The hosts established control immediately, racing to a 28-11 advantage during the opening quarter.

Japan had entered the contest after beating Mali 102-97 in its opening game, but the team could not reproduce its previous offensive performance against Germany.

The victory gave Germany a 1-1 record, while Japan also moved to 1-1 after two games.

Frieda Buhner led Germany with 19 points, while Nyara Sabally contributed 18. Japan’s Kokoro Tanaka finished as her team's leading scorer with 15 points.

Germany Shut Down Japan’s Three-Point Shooting

One of the biggest differences between Japan’s opening game and its matchup with Germany was its three-point shooting.

Japan had made a World Cup-record 20 three-pointers in its win over Mali. Against Germany, however, the team managed just 3-for-27 from beyond the arc.

Two of those three successful attempts came during the final 1:38, highlighting how effectively Germany had restricted Japan’s preferred offensive approach.

German star Leonie Fiebich explained that the team was well aware of Japan’s tendency to rely heavily on three-point shots.

Germany focused on taking away those opportunities and using physical defense to disrupt Japan’s rhythm.

That strategy worked, as Japan struggled to generate the same offensive flow it had displayed in its tournament opener.

Hungary vs Nigeria: Hungary End 28-Year World Cup Wait 

Hungary also recorded an important victory, edging Nigeria 71-67 to secure its first Women’s Basketball World Cup win in 28 years.

The result ended a long wait for Hungary, whose previous World Cup victory came in 1998 against China in the quarterfinals.

Hungary appeared to have the game under control after building a 66-52 lead with 3:57 remaining.

Nigeria refused to go away, however, producing a late comeback that turned the closing moments into a tense finish.

The Nigerian side eventually cut the deficit to just two points with three seconds remaining after Elizabeth Balogun scored.

Dorka Juhasz Stars as Hungary Hold Off Nigeria

Dorka Juhasz was one of the main reasons Hungary managed to survive Nigeria’s late charge.

She finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds, delivering a dominant all-around performance.

Juhasz, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx, was particularly productive in the first half, recording 13 points and 11 rebounds before finishing with a double-double.

Virag Takacs-Kiss added 17 points for Hungary.

The decisive moment came in the final seconds. Nigeria fouled Reka Lelik with just over one second remaining, and Lelik converted both free throws to finally secure the 71-67 victory.

Amy Okonkwo led Nigeria with 17 points.

Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026: Group A Race Gets Interesting

The results have made the Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Group A race particularly intriguing.

After Germany defeated Japan and Mali stunned Spain, all four teams in Group A now sit at 1-1.

That means the group remains completely open heading into the final games.

Mali’s victory over Spain has changed the picture dramatically. A team that entered the contest looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat to Japan is now firmly in contention after one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

Germany has also gained momentum following its convincing win over Japan, while Spain will need to respond after its unexpected loss.

With every team sitting on the same record, the remaining Group A games could have major consequences for the next stage of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

For Mali, though, the immediate focus will be on enjoying a historic victory that has already become one of the defining moments of the tournament.

Where can I watch the Women’s Basketball World Cup?

Fans can watch the Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 through different broadcasters and streaming services depending on their country. FIBA’s official viewing guide lists Courtside 1891 on DAZN as a major option for watching live and on-demand games. Some matches are also available through local TV networks and regional broadcasters, so viewers should check the coverage available in their country.

Is Spain a good women’s basketball team?

Yes, Spain is one of the strongest teams in international women’s basketball. The Spain women’s basketball team has regularly competed at the highest level and is known for its experience, technical ability and strong tournament performances. However, Spain suffered a major surprise against Mali at the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup, losing 82-73 in Berlin.

Where is the FIBA World Cup 2026?

The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 is being held in Berlin, Germany, from September 4 to September 13, 2026. The tournament features 16 national teams competing for the world title, with games taking place at venues including Berlin Arena and Max-Schmeling-Halle. The knockout stages are being played in Berlin Arena.