Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Ronald Acuna Jr. had emotional reaction after Venezuela beat Italy in the WBC semifinal

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Mar 17, 2026 12:22 AM ET

Ronald Acuna Jr. could not contain his emotions on Monday after Venezuela advanced to the championship game of this year’s World Baseball Classic.

Venezuela came from behind to stun Italy in a 4-2 victory at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. Acuna was right at the center of his team’s comeback efforts.

The Venezuelans trailed 2-1 with a man on first and two outs in the top of the 7th inning when Jackson Chourio hit a crucial single to push a runner into scoring position. Acuna came up to the plate next and legged out an infield single to tie the game at 2-2.

RONALD ACUÑA JR. TIES THIS GAME pic.twitter.com/nz1z9ijWRB
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 17, 2026

Acuna’s teammates did the rest, as Maikel Garcia and Luis Arraez drove in two more runs with RBI singles of their own. Venezuela’s bullpen finished the job, sitting down the next nine Italian batters in a row to seal the semifinal victory.

Acuna was in tears as he watched closer Daniel Palencia strike out Sam Antonacci to end the game. He buried his face in his glove for several seconds before joining his teammates in celebration.

An unbelievable moment for Ronald Acuña Jr. and Team Venezuela ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3wJT6JrPV0
— MLB (@MLB) March 17, 2026

“I’m so excited. A lot of emotion,” a teary-eyed Acuna told Ken Rosenthal during his postgame interview. My family is there. Every fan from Venezuela is there. Like I said before, I just want to make my people proud, and that’s what I did today.”

Acuna only went 1-for-5 in the contest, but that lone hit was enough to thrust Venezuela into the WBC title game for the first time ever.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: