Cuba are looking to win the World Baseball Classic after reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 2006 ©Getty Images

Cuba defeated Australia 4-3 in a thrilling quarter-final contest in Tokyo, Japan, to book their place in the last four, while the last group stage matches were played to finalise the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) knockout bracket.

Cuba, who finished second in the 2006 edition, had a massive turnaround after losing their first two group stage games in Pool A to the Netherlands and Italy, winning their other two group games and miraculously claiming the top seed on run-difference.

Australia scored first during the top of the second after a Rixon Wingrove single, as Darryl George scored to put the Aussies ahead.

From then on, Cuba managed to score four runs, with three of them coming in the bottom of the fifth after Yoelkis Guibert produced a two-run single through the right side.

Australia fought back and brought the game within one after a Wingrove double-run, but it was not enough as the Pan American side held on to secure the victory.

"Right now, I'm very disappointed," said Australia manager Dave Nilsson.

Australia reached the quarter-finals of the World Baseball Classic for the first time in the competition's history ©Getty Images
Australia reached the quarter-finals of the World Baseball Classic for the first time in the competition's history ©Getty Images

"We had opportunities to win that game and we just couldn't get it done. 

"We did a lot of things very well, played very well.

"You have to at this point tip your hat to Cuba, they took advantage of our shortfalls. 

"We played a great game and just couldn't get there."

Cuba will now face the winner of Venezuela against the United States.

The US defeated Colombia in a tight contest in Miami that ended 3-2, as the third ranked team qualified as runners-up of Pool C with Mexico defeating Canada 10-3 earlier in the day to top the group.

The United States are looking to win back-to-back World Baseball Classic titles ©Getty Images
The United States are looking to win back-to-back World Baseball Classic titles ©Getty Images

The US, Mexico and Canada were all tied coming into the final game day of the group with two wins and a loss, with the Mexicans able to secure the top position courtesy of their head-to-head advantage over the US.

In Pool D at the city of Phoenix in the United States, Venezuela continued their perfect run by beating Israel 5-1, joining Japan as the only undefeated teams.

In the other Pool D match-up, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic battled it out to secure the runner-up position, with Puerto Rico claiming a 5-2 win to advance over the team that defeated them during the final of the 2013 edition.

Japan and Italy will be facing off tomorrow to determine the second team to advance to the semi-finals, as they take on the winner of Puerto Rico against Mexico.