The 2026 World Baseball Classic delivered one of its most dramatic moments yet on Saturday night at loanDepot Park in Miami, as Venezuela stunned defending champion Japan with a thrilling 8-5 come-from-behind victory in the quarterfinals. The result marks the worst finish for Japan in the six editions of the tournament and sends Venezuela to the semifinals for the first time since 2009.

The game announced itself immediately with a historic opening exchange. Ronald Acuna Jr. launched a leadoff home run for Venezuela, only for Shohei Ohtani to answer with a leadoff blast of his own in the bottom of the first, marking the first time in WBC history that both teams opened a game with solo home runs. The electric start set the tone for a contest that would swing back and forth before Venezuela seized control.

Japan appeared to take command when Shota Morishita, who had entered the game after Seiya Suzuki exited with an injury in the second inning, crushed a three-run homer to give Japan a commanding 5-2 lead. The defending champions looked poised to cruise into the semifinals and defend their 2023 title. But Venezuela had other plans.

The turning point arrived in the sixth inning, when Wilyer Abreu stepped to the plate with runners on base and Venezuela trailing 5-4. Abreu clobbered a three-run blast that turned the deficit into a 7-5 lead, silencing the pro-Japan contingent in attendance and igniting the Venezuelan dugout. Venezuela would add an insurance run to push the lead to 8-5, and from there, the bullpen took over.

Venezuela's relief corps was nothing short of spectacular. Six relievers combined to hold Japan scoreless across 6 and one-third innings, retiring 13 consecutive batters at one critical stretch. Daniel Palencia earned the honor of recording the final out, getting none other than Ohtani himself to pop up, sealing the historic upset and sending Venezuela into a semifinal clash with Italy.

The other quarterfinal on Friday night saw Team USA hold on for a 5-3 victory over Canada at Daikin Park in Houston. Starter Logan Webb was sharp, allowing just four hits and one walk across 4 and two-thirds innings while striking out five. Brice Turang and Pete Crow-Armstrong each contributed two hits and an RBI as the Americans built a 5-0 lead before Canada mounted a late charge with three runs in the sixth.

The Dominican Republic, meanwhile, continued its dominant run through the tournament with a 10-0 demolition of South Korea, improving to a perfect 5-0 record and establishing themselves as perhaps the tournament favorite heading into the final weekend.

The semifinal round promises fireworks. On Sunday night, Team USA will face the Dominican Republic in what many are calling the marquee matchup of the entire tournament. Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, the 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner, will take the mound for the Americans against a loaded Dominican lineup that has been the most dominant offensive force in the competition.

On Monday, Venezuela will look to continue its Cinderella run when it takes on Italy, which advanced from Pool E as a surprise contender in its own right. The championship game is scheduled for Tuesday at loanDepot Park in Miami.

For Venezuela, the victory over Japan represents more than just a quarterfinal win. It is a statement that this roster, built around a blend of Major League talent and fearless young arms in the bullpen, is capable of going all the way. For Japan and Ohtani, the early exit will sting as they watch the rest of the tournament unfold without them for the first time in the event's history.