INDIANAPOLIS — Yugoslavia beat the United States 81-78 Thursday night to extend the Americans' losing streak to two games and end any chance of a medal for the host country in the World Championships.

        One day after Argentina shocked the basketball world by handing a U.S. team with NBA players its first international defeat after 58 straight wins, Yugoslavia did it again, advancing to the semifinals as it defends the gold medal.

        The best the United States (5-2) can do is finish fifth, which would match its worst placing ever. The United States was fifth in 1970 and 1978.

        “Last night was much more discouraging. Tonight is disappointing,” U.S. coach George Karl said.

        While Yugoslavia is a regular in the world's final four, making its 10th straight appearance in the semifinals, it is joined by Argentina, in it for the first time since 1950, and Germany and New Zealand, both making it this far for the first time.

        Saturday's matchups have Yugoslavia against New Zealand, and Argentina against Germany.

        The United States will play in the consolation semifinals Friday against Puerto Rico.

        The U.S. team had a chance to tie the game, but Andre Miller's long 3-point attempt just before the final buzzer came up short and another team started celebrating on the court at Conseco Fieldhouse.

        “Right now, after beating the U.S., we think we can win the gold medal,” Peja Stojakovic said.

        Stojakovic, one of five NBA players on Yugoslavia's roster, scored 20 points. Vlade Divac, his teammate with the Sacramento Kings, added 16 — all in the first half — and Milan Gurovic had 15.

        Reggie Miller's layup with 13 seconds left got the United States to 79-78, and the Americans quickly fouled Marko Jaric. He made both and Miller's miss ended the game.

        Yugoslavia (5-2) holds the record with four World Championships gold medals.

        Paul Pierce and Andre Miller each had 19 points for the United States.

        “Obviously it's embarrassing, on our home turf. We have to walk away from it as a learning experience,” Miller said.

        Argentina 78, Brazil 67

        One day after shocking the United States 87-80, Argentina (7-0) looked sluggish at the start, but took over with a 13-0 run in the third quarter and went on to the win that moved into the world's final four for the first time since it won the gold medal in 1950.

        “I don't know why,” Argentina's Emanuel Genobili said when asked about the slow start. “It's not easy to beat the Dream Team like we did yesterday, so it's kind of normal that one's mind might be somewhere else. We did a pretty good job, it could have been worse.”

        Ginobili, who has signed with the San Antonio Spurs, and Fabricio Oberto each had 19 points for Argentina.

        Vanderlei Mazzuchini had 20 points for Brazil (4-3).

        Germany 70, Spain 62

        Dirk Nowitzki, an all-star with the Dallas Mavericks, scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and Germany (5-2) advanced to the semifinals for the first time. Germany had never finished higher than 12th in two other championships appearances.

        Juan Carlos Navarro had 21 points for Spain (5-2), which led 55-49 in the fourth quarter, while Pau Gasol, the NBA's rookie of the year last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, had 14.

        New Zealand 65, Puerto Rico 63

        Phil Jones scored 21 points and Pero Cameron added 16, including the game-winning layup with 23 seconds to play, for New Zealand (4-3), which is making just its second appearance in the World Championships.

        Elias Ayuso had seven 3-pointers and finished with 24 points for Puerto Ricans (5-2), which had five games decided by four points or less.

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