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The Australian Opals have bowed out of the FIBA Women\u2019s World Cup in Germany after falling to Spain by 23 points, just hours after learning captain Ezi Magbegor had suffered an ACL injury.<\/p>\n
Watch the Women\u2019s 2026 FIBA World Cup LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n There was hope following Australia\u2019s thrilling 82-80 win over Italy that Magbegor\u2019s injury might not be as serious as first feared, with head coach Sandy Brondello pointing to some positive signs after the game.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t know, so we\u2019ll see what the result is tomorrow. She\u2019s walking, and that\u2019s a good sign.\u201d Brondello said in the post-match against Italy.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the worst possible news was later confirmed by Magbegor\u2019s WNBA team, the Seattle Storm, who revealed the star forward had torn her ACL.<\/p>\n It was another devastating blow for Magbegor, who was coming off a torn Achilles in March and had only returned to the court in July, making the latest setback an incredibly difficult pill to swallow.<\/p>\n \u201cIt makes me emotional when I see anyone go down,\u201c Opals coach Sandy Brondello said after the loss to Spain.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Ezi\u2019s come back from an injury and it\u2019s just another injury. [It\u2019s] just really unfortunate. She\u2019s a key part of what we want to do. It sucks, but that\u2019s sport isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s got to have a great recovery and she\u2019ll get back, I don\u2019t have a doubt about that. Just disappointed for Ezi that she\u2019s going through another rehabilitation.\u201d<\/p>\n Magbegor joined fellow stars Alanna Smith (leg injury) and Jade Melbourne (illness) on the sidelines, while veteran Sami Whitcomb was ruled out before the tournament through injury and Cayla George did not play due to pregnancy.<\/p>\n READ MORE: \u2018My heart sank\u2019: Opals survive World Cup thriller as injury toll worsens<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Smith suffered a lower-leg injury in the opening game of the tournament, while Melbourne played just three minutes against Italy due to illness and was unable to take the floor against Spain.<\/p>\n With Australia severely depleted, the Opals eventually fell 89-66 to Spain, bringing their World Cup campaign to an end.<\/p>\n Steph Talbot was one of Australia\u2019s standouts throughout the tournament, averaging 13.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game in Germany.<\/p>\n Despite the disappointing finish, the forward said she was proud of the way the group continued to fight until the end, while admitting it was a strange feeling looking around at just how many players were unavailable.<\/p>\n