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Venezuela claims first World Baseball Classic title with 3-2 win over United States

Eugenio Suárez delivered the game-winning RBI double in the top of the ninth inning, lifting Venezuela to a 3-2 victory over the United States in the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship final at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 17, 2026. Suárez, a 34-year-old third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks, drove in Javier Sanoja from second base with a 3-2 changeup from U.S. reliever Garrett Whitlock.[1][2]

The win marked Venezuela's first WBC title, surpassing their previous best finishes of quarterfinals appearances in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2023.[3][4] The tournament final took place at loanDepot park, home of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins.[5]

Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman and U.S. team star, hit a solo home run off Andrés Machado in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score at 2-2.[1] Wilyer Abreu, Boston Red Sox outfielder, had earlier hit a solo home run for Venezuela to extend their lead.[1]

In the post-game interview with FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Suárez credited his faith for the victory. "I mean, what can I say about this? It’s amazing. God is good, all the glory is for the Lord Jesus. He was with us the whole time," Suárez said. He added, "We have to glorify, put his name in front of everything. Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we [won] the championship today. This is a celebration for all [of Venezuela]."[1][2]

Suárez pointed skyward after the hit and later explained, "I just prayed at the time. I pointed to my family out there – they were happy for me. God is good, man. God is good." He described his teammates as family, saying, "The union – we are together the whole time. We’re not just teammates, we’re all family. This team is awesome – we are family here. That’s why we play with passion, with love because we feel that on our jersey."[1][2]

The day prior, on March 16, Suárez hit a solo home run against Italy in Venezuela's semifinal win at the same venue.[1] Players will now return to their Major League Baseball clubs ahead of the 2026 regular season start in late March.[5]

Sources

  1. Fox Sports, World Baseball Classic coverage, March 2026 (reporting date), https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/world-baseball-classic
  2. Fox News Digital, "Venezuela shocks Team USA to win World Baseball Classic for first time" by Scott Thompson, March 18, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
  3. MLB.com, "Eugenio Suárez Player Page", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-570248
  4. Wikipedia, "Venezuela national baseball team - World Baseball Classic", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela_national_baseball_team#World_Baseball_Classic
  5. MLB.com, "2026 World Baseball Classic / loanDepot park", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/2026