Venezuela’s dominant pitching and timely hitting shocked the United States, 3-2, to capture the World Baseball Classic title for the first time in team history. Eduardo Rodriguez led with a stellar 4.1-inning start, allowing just one hit and striking out four, including Aaron Judge. Venezuela’s bullpen held the U.S. to only two hits until Bryce Harper's eighth-inning home run tied the game.
Wilyer Abreu’s solo home run in the fifth inning gave Venezuela momentum. In the ninth, Eugenio Suarez delivered a go-ahead RBI double. Daniel Palencia closed the game with three crucial outs, securing an emotional victory.