Nations League Women· Season 2026
Brazil Women beat China Women 3-1 (26-24, 25-18, 19-25, 25-15) in Ankara to stay perfect at 7-0 in VNL 2026 Week 2
Match Analysis
AI SummaryFirst set: Brazil edge the tight calls
The opening set was a cagey affair, with both sides trading blows in front of a lively crowd at the Ankara arena. China looked the sharper side in the early exchanges, but Brazil's blocking unit — marshalled with typical authority — clawed back a slender advantage at the crunch moments. A nail-biting 26-24 scoreline went the way of the Brazilians, who converted their third set point after China had saved two of their own.
Second set: Brazil shift through the gears
Brazil carried that momentum into the second set and produced their most convincing passage of play. The Brazilian defence forced China into uncharacteristic errors, and the attacking trio punished every loose reception. At 18-25, the green-and-yellow machine had a two-set cushion and full control of the contest.
Third set: China refuse to buckle
Facing a sweep, China found a second wind. Head coach Cai Bin shuffled the rotation, bringing fresh legs to the floor, and the response was immediate. China's middles reasserted their presence at the net, while the service pressure forced Brazil into shaky passing. A dominant 25-19 scoreline gave the Asian giants a foothold and raised hopes of a classic comeback.
Fourth set: Brazil close it out
Any thoughts of a Chinese fightback were quickly extinguished in the fourth. Brazil stormed out of the tunnel with renewed intensity, rattling off points in quick succession. China's resistance crumbled under a relentless assault of powerful spikes and towering blocks. At 15-25, Brazil wrapped up the match in convincing fashion, their 19th victory in 30 meetings against China in the head-to-head record.
Standings implications
The result keeps Brazil firmly in contention for the top seed heading into the VNL Finals in Macao (22-26 July). With a 7-0 record, they sit alongside the pacesetters in the preliminary standings. China, now 5-2, remain well placed for a quarter-final berth but will need to sharpen up ahead of tougher tests.
Key performers
Brazil's Gabi and the middle-blocking duo proved the difference at the net, while the defensive organisation in the back court limited China's most potent attackers to well below their usual efficiency. For China, the third-set resurgence showed what they are capable of when their system clicks, but consistency across four sets remains a work in progress.
Both teams continue their Week 2 campaigns in Ankara, with Brazil facing Turkey and China taking on Belgium in their next outings.
China W and Brazil W have met 29 times — China W won 10, Brazil W won 19, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2009. Brazil W leads the head-to-head with 19 victories from 29 meetings. A combined 113 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 3.90 per match (45 for the home side, 68 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 16 matches (55%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 29 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 3–2 in 2023.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 23 Jun 2026