Breanna Stewart scores 19 points, USA crush Czech Republic 105-64 after Italy scare

Breanna Stewart walked into the game with a different look. After 24 hours, the United States was still recovering from a 55-52 win over Italy, a performance described as their worst preliminary-round game in 50 years. So when Stewart scored 11 points in the first 10 minutes against the Czech Republic, she was not just scoring. She was sending a message that the stagnant image from the Italy game would not happen again. The game took place in Berlin local time, and Stewart set the tone early. She finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists, but those numbers do not fully capture her impact in 16 minutes of play. In that time, Stewart helped the United States lead 29-15 after the first quarter and extend to 57-33 at halftime. She handled the ball cleanly, moved intelligently off the ball, and forced the Czech defense to collapse, open up space for her teammates. But the U.S. comeback was not just about Stewart. Napheesa Collier also played a key role, scoring 12 points with seven of them in the second quarter. It was Collier who helped the American team maintain rhythm while Stewart rested. As a result, the U.S. offense no longer depended too much on one star. This was the opposite of the Italy game, when the Americans managed only 30 points in the first half and lacked organized offensive ideas. The way the U.S. responded after the Italy shock was not just tactical. It was the mentality of a team that has won multiple World Cups and knows how to handle pressure. The coach did not need to say too much before the game. Stewart and her teammates understood that a narrow win over Italy was not the end, but it could become a crack if they played without focus again. So they chose to answer with a big and convincing victory. As for the Czech Republic, this tournament was a complete disappointment. They left the competition with three straight losses in pool play. It was their first World Cup since 2026; the team that won silver as hosts in 2026 could not pose any challenge against the United States. The gap in class between the two teams was too large, and the game in Berlin reflected exactly that reality. The United States earned their 33rd straight World Cup win, dating back to a semifinal loss to Russia in 2026. But looking deeper, the game against the Czech Republic was not a perfect performance. The American defense still had moments of slow transition, especially in defensive rotations. Some bench players were a bit clumsy with the ball late in the game. That shows the white-clad team still has work to do before the quarterfinals, even if their roster talent is superior. Stewart did not have a chance to become only the second player in Women's World Cup history to record a triple-double. She played just over 16 minutes and sat out the entire fourth quarter, when the game was decided. That record still belongs to Erika Dobrovicova of the Czech Republic, who achieved it against Spain in 2026. If Stewart had stayed on the floor a little longer, she might have made a personal milestone, but that was not the goal of the U.S. team at this stage. They need to save energy for the knockout round. The United States now awaits their quarterfinal opponent, which will be determined after the Hungary vs Japan game on Tuesday. The winner will face the defending champions on Thursday. On paper, the United States is superior to both teams. But basketball is not decided on paper. If Hungary surprises Japan, they could bring a physical and aggressive style. If Japan advances, they will use speed and continuous three-point shooting to drag the United States into a scoring race. The demanding schedule is also a problem for the U.S. coach. Stewart did not need to play the whole game against the Czech Republic, but she remains the centerpiece of the offensive plan in the elimination rounds. Strong teams like Australia, China or Belgium are ready to cause trouble if they get a chance. The United States needs a better version of themselves, rather than relying only on a star's moment of brilliance. In other games on the same day, China beat Italy, Germany beat Mali, Belgium beat Australia, Puerto Rico beat Turkey, France routed Nigeria, Spain beat Japan, and Hungary slipped past South Korea. These results show this year's tournament is deeper and more unpredictable than previous editions. No team can be complacent, even the United States. For Stewart, this game was a positive sign. She did not need to talk much or show emotion. She just needed to handle the ball cleanly and move smartly to stretch the defense. The American system will run smoothly if this Syracuse-native star is allowed to do what she does best: attack from the wing, catch the ball in good position, and read the defense. All that remains for the United States is patience and discipline. They have learned a lesson from the narrow win over Italy. One good game against the Czech Republic does not erase all concerns, but at least it shows their team still knows how to fix itself. The World Cup is not for the strongest team on paper, but for the team that shows up at the right time. Will the United States show up at the right time in the quarterfinals? They will find out on Thursday.