MANAGUA (Nicaragua) – Brazil played a near-perfect fourth quarter, erasing a deficit that reached 20 points (58-38) in the third period, and went on to defeat the United States 92-77 in the first Semi-Final of the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 in Nicaragua. The Brazilian team outscored the USA 34-9 in the last 10 minutes and avenged their prior loss in the Group Phase. They will now play their seventh final in the continental tournament, seeking their fifth crown against the winner of the other semi-final matchup between Canada and Argentina.
Turning point
The USA controlled the pace in the first half and started the second with momentum. Bruno Caboclo picked up his fourth personal foul just a minute and a half into the third quarter and had to head to the bench. The Americans extended their lead to 20, but Brazil kept battling and cut it back to 10 (68-58) entering the final stretch. USA, with a Cam Reynolds basket, pushed ahead 73-61 with 8:06 left. That’s when Caboclo re-entered and completely shifted the momentum. The big man delivered two blocks, hit a three-pointer, and threw down two dunks to bring his team back. He, Yago Santos, and Georginho De Paula led the charge, but it was Lucas Dias (nearly from the logo) and Vitor Benite who buried the decisive triples. This put Brazil ahead 86-77 with 1:28 remaining. From Reynolds’ bucket to the final buzzer, Brazil’s run was a massive 31-4.
TCL player of the game
Yago spearheaded Brazil’s offense with 25 points (a perfect 8-for-8 from the line) and 12 assists. The point guard kept his team alive when they looked finished early in the second half.
Caboclo sparked the comeback, finishing with 20 points (11 in the fourth quarter), 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Dias added a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds with 2 blocks, while De Paula contributed 13 points and 7 boards. For the USA, Langston Galloway scored 22 points with 5 three-pointers, though all of them came in the second quarter. Javonte Smart followed with 13 points and 5 assists, and Jerian Grant chipped in 11.
Stats don’t lie
Brazil’s 34 points in the fourth gave them 54 total in the second half, shooting 55 percent from the field (17-31) during that stretch. Also including 58 percent from three (7-12). The American team, after hitting 53 percent in the first half (18-34), went just 12-for-40 in the second for a dismal 30 percent. Brazil also dominated fast-break points 12-5 and points in the paint 38-30. Despite the loss, the Americans committed only four turnovers, tying the tournament’s lowest mark since 2003. They had previously hit that number twice in 2007, while Brazil matched it in 2009 and 2011.
Bottom line
With Saturday’s win, Brazil picked up its fourth victory in 11 AmeriCup matchups against the United States. The Brazilians will play their second consecutive Final. The Americans will now fight for third place. In the previous edition in 2022, they earned the first bronze medal in their AmeriCup history.
They said
Guard Georginho De Paula shared his thoughts after the comeback, but stressed that Brazil remains focused on winning the title. “I think it was our biggest comeback ever since I’ve been with the national team. The energy out there in the gym was amazing, and I think everybody felt it—even me, just being a part of it,” he told FIBA Americas. “I’m really, really proud, but we’re not done yet. We have one more, and our mindset is to tune in tomorrow (Sunday).” Veteran Vitor Benite praised the effort and focus of the whole team. “The team has shown we have real mental strength. Because playing against the USA and being down by, like, 15—it felt really tough in that moment of the game,” he said in the mixed zone. “I think the psychological part, that’s what I’m most proud of with this team. It’s a young group that’s able to win in tough moments.”
FIBA