Venezuela clinches its first World Baseball Classic title in a dramatic 3-2 victory over the USA

Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic final in Miami to win its first title. Key moments included Maikel García driving in a run in the third, Wilyer Abreu’s fifth-inning homer giving Venezuela the lead, Bryce Harper’s eighth-inning two-run shot tying the game, and Eugenio Suárez’s ninth-inning go-ahead double before Daniel Palencia shut the door as five Venezuelan relievers quieted the US bats. Eduardo Rodríguez began the game, and the bullpen held the Americans to one hit to seal the win amid strong Venezuelan fan support and a backdrop of national turmoil.