WBC fans react to Team Cuba nail-bitter win that sees Caribbean nation reach first WBC semifinals since 2006

Team Cuba became the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Led by strong pitching, Cuba defeated Australia 4-3 in the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Dome on Wednesday.

The achievement was that much more impressive considering it looked like they had little chance of getting out of the group stages. Team Cuba lost their first two games of the WBC to the Netherlands and Italy and looked dead and buried. They remained positive and finished strong with dominant wins over Panama and Chinese Taipei to qualify.

It was a tightly-contested battle between the two strong teams. WBC fans took to Twitter to applaud Cuba for qualifying and praise the Australian side for putting up a strong fight.

Fans were impressed with Team Australia's resilience on the night. Australia had a great run at the 2023 World Baseball classic and can go home proud after a spirited display.

Team Cuba edged out Team Australia in a tightly-contested battle at the Tokyo Dome

Raidel Martinez of Cuba celebrates the team's victory in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinal between Australia and Cuba at Tokyo Dome

Team Cuba looked to be in trouble in the second inning after Philadelphia Phillies infielder Rixon Wingrove drove in Darryl George. Chicago White Sox star Yoan Moncada tied the game at 1-1 in the third inning with a double. A five-run fifth inning gave the Cubans a healthy lead. Wingrove's two-run home run, however, cut the deficit to just one run.

Relievers Livan Moinelo and Raidel Martinez held their nerves late in the game to give Cuba a historic win on the night.

It was the first time since 2006 that the Caribbean nation has reached the semifinal stage of the tournament. They finished runners-up to Japan that year but have underperformed over the last three editions of the tournament.

Cuba will now go on to play the winner of the quarterfinals between Venezuela and the runner-up in Pool C. The semi-final game is set to take place in Miami, where Team Cuba has a massive following. A win in Florida would give Cuba an opportunity to win their first ever World Baseball Classic Championship.