The United States have booked their place in the World Baseball Classic semi-finals, overcoming a resilient Canadian side 5–3 in a tense quarter-final clash.
A clinical offensive display led by Aaron Judge and Pete Crow-Armstrong ensured the defending champions avoided another slip-up, following a turbulent group stage that threatened to derail their title defense early.
After a shock 8–6 loss to Italy in pool play left the Americans relying on outside results to even reach the knockout rounds, the U.S. squad appeared a more composed unit on the big stage.
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge set the tone with a crucial double, while the youthful energy of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Brice Turang proved decisive. Both youngsters collected two hits apiece, consistently pressuring a Canadian pitching staff that had looked formidable throughout the opening week.
For Bermuda’s Adam Hall and his Canadian teammates, the defeat marks the end of a historic journey. Canada reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, defying pre-tournament odds to emerge from a difficult group.
Despite the loss, the Canadian program leaves the tournament with its reputation significantly enhanced. Hall’s defensive versatility and the team's gritty performances have signaled a new era for baseball in the Great White North, though they ultimately lacked the late-inning firepower to match the American superstars.
The victory sets up a mouth-watering semi-final encounter against the Dominican Republic this Sunday in Miami.
This marks the United States' third consecutive appearance in the final four and their fourth overall. With the home crowd in Florida expected to be split between the two baseball powerhouses, the clash is already being billed as the "Final before the Final."
The Americans will need to maintain this newfound defensive solidity if they are to overcome a Dominican lineup that has yet to taste defeat in the 2026 tournament.
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