Basketball: Neighbors stun Spain in World Cup qualifiers

Spain's men's basketball team, a strong contender in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, experienced a stunning upset at home, falling 89-95 to Portugal. The defeat marked a surprising start to the second stage of qualification for the Spanish squad, which holds a 5-2 record.

The match was closely contested, with the score tied at 71-71 entering the final quarter. However, Portugal ignited a crucial 11-2 run, establishing an 82-73 lead that they would not relinquish. The visitors further extended their advantage, achieving their first double-digit lead of 91-81 en route to an unexpected victory.

Travante Williams led Portugal with 22 points, while Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta, who contributed 16 points and was the most effective player, anchored the defense. For Spain, Dario Brizuela scored 19 points, and Alvaro Cardenas added 18, but their efforts were not enough to overcome Portugal's strong performance.

Despite the loss, Spain still tops Group I. However, Ukraine now matches their 5-2 record. Three other teams, Montenegro, Portugal, and Georgia, are tied with 4-3 records. Spain is set to play Greece next, while Portugal will host Georgia.