BERLIN, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Defending ⁠champions USA fell behind early but stormed back past ⁠France 97-79 on Sunday to win theWomen's World ‌Cup.

In a rematch of the 2024 Olympic Games final, the American women came out on top once more, earning their fifth consecutive World Cup title ​and stretching their impressive unbeaten run at ⁠Olympics or World Cups ⁠to 20 years.

The French had to settle for silver in ⁠their maiden ‌World Cup final appearance for their best ever finish, despite leading by 14 points at one ⁠stage.

USA captain Breanna Stewart, top scorer with 22 ​points, helped her ‌team carve out an early five-point lead,anchoring the scoring ⁠early on.

But the ​French exploded into action, quickly found their three-point range and, led byGabby Williams, went on a 21-2 rampage that saw them ⁠open up a 14-point advantage early in ​the second quarter.

The Americans started chipping away at the lead and trailed by just two points at the break after Caitlin ⁠Clark hit a massively important three-pointer at the buzzer.

Consecutive triples from Kahleah Copper and Jackie Young gave Team USA a 58-51 lead and they never looked back, with another Clark ​three-pointer stretching their lead to 19 points ⁠at the start of the fourth quarter. The French could ​not break past a hard-working defence.

Earlier on ‌Sunday, Spain secured the bronze ​medal, outclassing hosts Germany 81-58 in the match for third place.

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by David Gregorio)