How did Venezuela win the WBC? Explaining Ronald Acuna Jr.

Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic on Tuesday night, defeating the United States 3-2 in the championship game.

While the United States, Japan, and the Dominican Republic entered the tournament as the three favorites, Venezuela quietly presented a fourth team full of talent.

However, Venezuela was overshadowed by those three until the knockout stage.

This year was the first time that Venezuela played in the WBC championship, but the team has always put together a roster that could hang with the contenders.

Finally, Venezuela was able to break through after 20 years in this tournament.

Here's how Venezuela was able to come away with its first WBC title.

MORE : Team USA's offense goes quiet in WBC final
In the quarterfinals and semifinals, Venezuela produced comebacks despite being down by multiple runs at some point.

Additionally, in the final, Venezuela brushed off blowing a late lead to produce the winning run in the ninth inning.

EUGENIO SUÁREZ PUTS TEAM VENEZUELA AHEAD IN THE 9TH!

pic.twitter.com/LtpLdYII5f — World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 18, 2026
EUGENIO SUÁREZ PUTS TEAM VENEZUELA AHEAD IN THE 9TH!

pic.twitter.com/LtpLdYII5f
TEAM VENEZUELA 🇻🇪 CHAMPS 🏆 #WORLDBASEBALLCLASSIC pic.twitter.com/1hDTJWcI5V — World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 18, 2026
TEAM VENEZUELA 🇻🇪 CHAMPS 🏆 #WORLDBASEBALLCLASSIC pic.twitter.com/1hDTJWcI5V
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Venezuela opened the WBC with a win over a solid Netherlands team.

The big inning for Venezuela came in the fourth, when the offense scored four runs to extend its lead to five runs.

The bullpen, which was great all tournament, threw seven innings of one-hit ball to close it out.

Although Nicaragua didn't win a game in the tournament, it gave Venezuela a valient fight in the group stage.

However, the Venezuelan pitching was dominant, as seven pitchers totaled nine shutout innings, allowing seven hits while striking out nine.

Dominican Republic 7, Venezuela 5
While both teams clinched a spot in the knockout stage, Venezuela and Dominican Republic battled for who would win the group.

It was the D.R.

who came out on top, getting to Eduardo Rodriguez and handing Venezuela its first loss of the tournament.

For much of the semifinal matchup, Italy was up 2-1 and looked to be headed to the championship game.

However, Venezuela rallied in the seventh inning, scoring three runs off Italy pitcher Michael Lorenzen to take the lead for good.

Venezuela earned its title, defeating a star-studded United States team by a score of 3-2.

Eduardo Rodriguez pitched 4.1 scoreless innings, while Eugenio Suarez produced the game-winning RBI in the ninth inning to secure its firs WBC title.

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Who were Venezuela's best players?

Venezuela's team was full of MLB All-Stars and quality players.

While Venezuela's best player is Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., the entire roster is made up of notable MLB players.

Venezuela's captain is Salvador Perez, the Kansas City Royals catcher who won a World Series in 2015.

The team's best hitters also include Luis Arraez, Maikel Garcia, Eugenio Suarez, Jackson Chourio, Willson Contreras, William Contreras, and Gleyber Torres.

As for the pitchers, Ranger Suarez and Eduardo Rodriguez led the rotation.

However, the bullpen was Venezuela's strong suit in the tournament.

Closer Daniel Palencia locked down several games, while Andres Machado, Jose Butto, and Angel Zerpa all played key roles in the WBC.

Who is Team Venezuela's  manager?

Omar Lopez has been Venezuela's manager for the past two World Baseball Classics.

Lopez is a long-time member of the Houston Astros organization, as he began working for the team in 1999.

Then, in 2008, Lopez began a stretch of a decade managing several of the Astros' minor league affiliates before joining the major league coaching staff in 2020.

In 2024, when Joe Espada became the Astros' manager, Lopez was promoted to bench coach for the team, which is where he currently works.

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News.

A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.