MIAMI (AP) — Wilyer Abreu hit a go-ahead, three-run homer after Maikel Garcia sparked the comeback with a two-run shot, and Venezuela beat Shohei Ohtani and defending champion Japan 8-5 in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday night to advance to the semifinals.

Wilyer Abreu's no-doubt three-run home run in the sixth proved the difference as Venezuela upset Shohei Ohtani and Japan

Ohtani hit a first-inning home run but also struck out twice and had the game-ending flyout in Japan’s quarterfinal loss to Venezuela.

Japan's World Baseball Classic title defense is over. Saturday night at loanDepot Park in Miami, Venezuela rallied from behind to eliminate Japan (VEN 8, JPN 5) and advance to the semifinals. Venezuela is one step away from Tuesday's Championship Game and Japan will head home following its worst World Baseball Classic finish ever.

In a tournament that has had no shortage of dynamic moments, jaw-dropping home runs and epic comebacks, Saturday’s quarterfinal between Venezuela and Japan might have topped it all. Venezuela upset Japan 8-5, knocking out the defending champions to advance to the World Baseball Classic semifinals for the first time since 2009.

Team Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata announced he will step down from his position after the World Baseball Classic. Japan was eliminated from the WBC on Saturday with an 8-5 loss to Venezuela in the tournament quarterfinals. Samurai Japan built a 5-2 lead after three innings, powered by home runs from Shohei Ohtani and Shota Morishita.

Team Japan was widely considered among the favorites to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic after defeating Team USA for the tournament championship in 2023. Armed with the reigning National League MVP (Shohei Ohtani) and starting the reigning World Series MVP (Yoshinobu Yamamoto) in the quarterfinals against Venezuela,

Detroit Tigers left-hander Enmanuel De Jesus delivered another gem for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday night, helping secure an 8-5 victory over defending champion Japan in Miami.

Chicago Cubs OF Seiya Suzuki left Japan’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal against Venezuela on Saturday after suffering an apparent knee injury while he was caught stealing.