As many expected, Team USA killed Slovenia's dream to claim this year's World Cup in Spain on Tuesday, putting itself on a collision course with Lithuania, which on the same day beat Turkey, 73-61.

This should be the last faceoff before it books itself for a finals berth, and a possible match with home team Spain, Reuters wrote, as published on The Straits Times. The host will take on France and Brazil will face Serbia in Madrid on Wednesday, the outcome deciding whether fans will get their dream Spain-USA match-up.

According to the report, the Slovenians held on to a close fight, 49-42, at half time, courtesy of a Domen Lorbek showing. It even got the lead early in the game, CBS Sports noted, after suffering a 30-point gap at the warm-up games.

On the other hand, team captain James Harden missed his first seven attempts, reflecting a generally lackluster beginning for the defending champs, Reuters noted. Stephen Curry also missed shots, CBS Sports added.

Reuters credited guard, Klay Thompson, and center, Anthony Davis' twin effort to keep the lead.

By the middle of the third quarter, USA's defense improved dramatically, as shown by the runouts, alley-oops, layups and easy scores, CBS Sports noted. It helped their cause that Slovenia got frustrated, the lead ballooning from seven to 20 in five minutes and the USA's score being its best in the tourney.

While Thompson did well from the three-point territory and contributed 20 points, Derrick Rose and Kyrie Irving also contributed 12 points each, with Rose producing five assists and Irving, four steals, even as he was sent out after a worrying fall on his injured hip. Kenneth Faried also had 11 boards.

Lithuania, who will test USA on Thursday, also had an interesting game against Turkey, the Bleacher Report said.

Four players chalked up double figures for Lithuania, led by Renaldas Seibutis' 19 points, it added. The whole team converted 10 of 19 attempts from the three-point range. Also, center Jonas Valanciunas tormented the play of Turkey's Omer Asik.

Turkey seemed ready to win during the first quarter but Lithuania lead at halftime, the report explained. In the third quarter, Turkey went on a 12-0 rampage to repossess the lead, but Lithuania replied with outside shooting and did not slack off all the way to the end of the fourth.

The next game will be much tougher for Lithuania, the Bleacher Report said, although it added that they cannot be discounted as a threat. USA Today said that comparing the teams' performances against Slovenia would reveal how much better Team USA is, but the Lithuanian determination can change it all.

Watch their game on Sept. 11 at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN or Watch ESPN.