Venezuela defeats United States 3-2 in World Baseball Classic final
Eugenio Suárez hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning as Venezuela came from behind to beat the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic championship game on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida. The victory marked Venezuela's first WBC title.[1][2]
Suárez, a 33-year-old third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball, drove in Javier Sanoja from second base with two outs off a 3-2 changeup from U.S. pitcher Garrett Whitlock. The hit capped a rally after Bryce Harper's solo home run in the eighth inning tied the score at 2-2.[1][2]
Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run earlier to help Venezuela take the lead.[1] The U.S. managed just two hits in the game.[1]
Following the game, Suárez credited his faith in an interview with FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. "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.[1]
"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]," he added.[1]
The win came a day after Venezuela defeated Italy, when Suárez hit a solo home run on March 16 at the same venue.[1] LoanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins, hosted the final as part of the tournament schedule announced by Major League Baseball.[3][4]
Venezuela's previous best finishes in the WBC were fourth place in 2009 and 2017. The tournament, held every four years and organized by MLB and the World Baseball Softball Confederation, features top players from 20 nations competing in pool stages, super rounds, semifinals and final.[3][5]
Players from both teams will return to their MLB clubs ahead of the regular season, which typically begins late March.[3]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "VENEZUELA SHOCKS TEAM USA TO WIN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC FOR FIRST TIME", March 18, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- FOX Sports, "Venezuela captures first WBC title on Suárez's walk-off double", March 18, 2026, https://www.foxsports.com/mlb
- MLB.com, "World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule announced", August 5, 2024, https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-schedule-announced
- MLB.com, "Eugenio Suárez Stats, Fantasy & News", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-570858
- Wikipedia, "Venezuela national baseball team", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela_national_baseball_team
