Venezuela produced one of the biggest results of the 2026 World Baseball Classic by defeating defending champion Japan 8-5 in a dramatic quarterfinal showdown, while Italy completed its own historic night by holding off Puerto Rico 8-6 to secure a semifinal place.
The victories reshaped the tournament bracket. Venezuela advanced to its first World Baseball Classic semifinal since 2009, while Italy reached the last four for the first time in the country’s history. The two teams will now face each other in Monday’s semifinal, while the other side of the bracket features Team USA vs the Dominican Republic.
For Japan, the loss marked a stunning end to one of international baseball’s most remarkable streaks. The nation had reached the semifinals in every previous World Baseball Classic since the tournament began in 2006 and had lifted the trophy three times, the most by any country.
Acuña and Ohtani ignite explosive start
The Venezuela-Japan quarterfinal immediately delivered the kind of star power expected from two of baseball’s most talented rosters.
On just the second pitch of the game, Venezuela superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. crushed a leadoff home run against Japan ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, sending an early shockwave through the stadium.
Japan’s response arrived instantly. Shohei Ohtani answered with a towering homer of his own to tie the game, creating a rare moment where two of the sport’s biggest stars traded leadoff blasts within minutes.
The offensive fireworks continued in the second inning when Venezuela regained the lead. Ezequiel Tovar and Gleyber Torres hit back-to-back doubles, pushing Venezuela ahead and putting pressure on Japan early.
Japan surge briefly flips the game
Japan soon appeared ready to take control of the quarterfinal.
After Seiya Suzuki left the game in the first inning because of injury, Shota Morishita entered as a replacement and immediately delivered one of the most important swings of the night.
In the third inning Morishita launched a three-run home run, turning the momentum and giving Japan a 5-2 lead.
With Yamamoto still pitching and Japan’s deep bullpen waiting behind him, the defending champions seemed to be in a comfortable position.
Venezuela comeback changes everything
Venezuela refused to fade. Once Yamamoto exited after four innings, the Venezuelan offense began to build its comeback.
Maikel Garcia, cousin of Ronald Acuña Jr., cut the deficit with a two-run homer in the fifth inning, pulling Venezuela back within striking distance.
The decisive moment arrived one inning later.
Facing Hiromi Itoh — the reigning winner of Japan’s prestigious Sawamura Award, the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award — Venezuelan outfielder Wilyer Abreu crushed a dramatic three-run homer that flipped the score and ignited the Venezuelan dugout.
The emotional reaction from players and fans captured exactly why the World Baseball Classic carries such intensity for national teams.
Venezuela bullpen shuts the door
While Venezuela’s lineup produced the comeback, its pitching staff ensured the lead held.
Starter Ranger Suárez allowed all five of Japan’s runs earlier in the game, but once the bullpen took over the momentum shifted completely.
Venezuela relievers combined to retire 13 consecutive Japanese hitters at one point, preventing any late rally and locking down the upset victory.
The result ended Japan’s perfect semifinal streak in the tournament and delivered one of the most memorable knockout performances of the 2026 edition.
The win also carried an additional reward. Venezuela’s quarterfinal triumph secured the country a place in the baseball competition at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Italy continues Cinderella run
Earlier in the day, Italy ensured the semifinals would not feature only traditional baseball powers.
Entering the knockout round undefeated, Italy had already turned heads by beating Team USA during pool play. Against Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals, the Italian lineup again exploded early.
Italy built a commanding 8-2 lead after four innings, putting immediate pressure on Puerto Rico’s experienced lineup.
The game nearly slipped away late when Puerto Rico mounted a fierce comeback attempt. In the eighth inning, Puerto Rico scored four runs, suddenly cutting the deficit to two and turning the final outs into a tense finish.
Italy held on, completing an 8-6 victory and securing the first World Baseball Classic semifinal appearance in the nation’s history.
The official tournament bracket and schedule can be viewed through the World Baseball Classic coverage on MLB.com, which tracks every matchup of the international competition.
Semifinal stage set
The 2026 tournament now moves into its decisive stage with four teams remaining.
Italy will face Venezuela in Monday’s semifinal, a matchup that few predicted when the tournament began but one that reflects how unpredictable international baseball can be.
On the other side of the bracket, Team USA will meet the Dominican Republic in another highly anticipated semifinal showdown.
For Venezuela, the victory represents a return to the elite tier of the tournament after more than a decade away from the semifinals. For Italy, the run has become one of the most surprising stories of the competition.
With both teams riding waves of momentum and confidence, the stage is set for a semifinal that promises more of the drama and passion that has already defined the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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