Italy’s Cecilia Zandalasini sparks Women’s World Cup controversy with apparent eye-poke flop vs. Team USA

Italy went neck and neck against Team USA in their latest affair but could not avoid a 55-52 defeat. It was impressive for the world No. 14 team to scare the world’s best women’s basketball team and take the match so close.

Though not everything from the Italian delegation was on point. During the final moments of the closely contested game, Cecilia Zandalasini was put into a tough situation with Jackie Young guarding her.

With both of Young’s hands raised upwards and no contact whatsoever, Zandalasini grabbed her eyes and made it look like she had made contact. Though it was not the case and the referee was watching up close, the eye-poke flop was issued a no-call.

But the drama did not stop there. Even after the final whistle, the Italian forward, along with her teammates, went right after the FIBA referee to argue for a foul. However, they were separated by the coaching staff and ultimately accepted their fate.

Soon after the controversial visuals went viral online, social media fans started calling out Zandalasini for flopping.

“Embarrassing,” a fan commented on the video.

Embarrassing.

— Matt Birch (@Birchie40) September 7, 2026

“She bogus as hell threw a mf tantrum afterwards,” another fan wrote.

She bogus as hell threw a mf tantrum afterwards

— Frostman (@Frostman_24) September 7, 2026

“Yo!!! Just for doing that bullshit she should be suspended for the rest of the tournament–. She literally went after the refs after the game hardcore complaining how she got punched in the face– This shit is wild!” a third fan wrote.

Yo!!! Just for doing that bullshit she should be suspended for the rest of the tournament–. She literally went after the refs after the game hardcore complaining how she got punched in the face– This shit is wild!

— JustSomeThoughts (@HeadzSports) September 7, 2026

“that handle had zero bars bluetooth dribble into a brick and the crashout after was the actual highlight,” another one added.

that handle had zero bars bluetooth dribble into a brick and the crashout after was the actual highlight

— ✪ 𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘 ✪ (@KBLINKZ_20) September 7, 2026

While Italy’s offense struggled as a whole, Zandalasini scored a side-leading 14 points and shot 5-for-14. Apart from her, none of her teammates were able to cross the double-digit points mark.

For Team USA, Young scored 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting. Team USA will play the Czech Republic on Monday, September 7.

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