Italy vs. Mexico World Baseball Classic 2026: Mexico’s Late-Inning Surge Secures Semifinal Berth

Italy rocked Pool C on Wednesday night, routing Mexico 9-1 in their final group game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The emphatic win pushed the Azzurri to a perfect 4-0 record and into a Saturday quarter-final date with Puerto Rico, while simultaneously knocking El Tri out of the tournament. Vinnie Pasquantino delivered a historic performance, belting three home runs—the first three-homer game in WBC history—to drive in five runs and ignite an Italian lineup that produced 12 hits. Jon Berti added a solo blast in the sixth, and Jac Caglianone’s perfectly placed bunt scored another insurance run as manager Mike Piazza kept the pressure on all night. On the mound, right-hander Aaron Nola showcased pinpoint command, scattering four singles over six shutout innings and striking out seven before handing the ball to a bullpen that slammed the door. Mexico’s only spark came in the eighth, when Isaac Paredes’ RBI double averted the shutout. Key statistics • Final score: Italy 9, Mexico 1 • Home runs: Pasquantino 3, Berti 1 • Team batting: Italy .343 (12-for-35); Mexico .161 (5-for-31) What’s next Italy now travels to Miami to face Pool D runner-up Puerto Rico on March 14 at 3 p.m. ET; the winner advances to the semifinal round. Mexico heads home after finishing 1-3, its early exit marking a second straight WBC without a knockout-stage appearance. Why it matters for Team USA The lopsided Italian victory clinched the United States’ passage to the quarter-finals as Pool C’s second seed despite its own 2-2 record, setting up a primetime clash with unbeaten Japan on March 15. Search interest in “Italy Mexico World Baseball Classic” has spiked worldwide, reflecting fans’ hunger for highlights, live-stream replays, updated brackets and potential Cinderella runs. With Pasquantino swinging the hottest bat of the tournament and Nola anchoring a confident pitching staff, Italy suddenly looks like 2026’s must-watch underdog.