Brazil’s thrilling comeback over Argentina in Brasília ensures unbeaten record in opening week of Men’s VNL 2026
The Brazilian men’s volleyball team ended its participation in the inaugural round of the Nations League (VNL) with an exciting triumph. After a fierce clash against Argentina, the green and yellow team secured a comeback victory in five sets.
Held in the federal capital, Brasília, on Sunday night (14), the South American classic saw the Brazilians reverse a two-sets-to-nil deficit. The final score was 3-2 for Brazil, with splits of 18-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-23 and a decisive 15-9 in the tie-break.
This result consolidated the team’s impeccable campaign in the initial phase of the VNL, which hosted its games in Brasília. The team completed the series of four matches with 100% success, recording four victories and consolidating a strong base for the next stages of the tournament.
Sunday’s clash unfolded in two distinct moments: a complicated start followed by a memorable turnaround. The team’s electrifying performance infected the 7,976 spectators who filled the Nilson Nelson gymnasium, transforming the atmosphere into pure celebration.
The Argentine team dominated the first set, making few errors and being highly effective. With the remarkable performance of point guards Luciano Vicintin and Luciano Palonsky, the opponents closed the match 25-18, in 28 minutes of play.
In the subsequent set, the Brazilian team attempted an initial recovery. However, it allowed Argentina to open a five-point lead, reaching 14-9. The Brazilian team showed persistence to equalize at 20-19, but crucial mistakes allowed Vicintin to secure the second set for the Argentines 26-24, in 29 minutes.
The Brazilian comeback in the fourth set seals the path to victory
The third set was marked by an intense balance between the teams. Brazil took the lead with two firm blocks and powerful attacks from Honorato and Darlan, igniting the crowd with a score of 17 to 14. The advantage was consolidated, and the set was closed at 25 to 19, reducing the overall disadvantage to 2 sets to 1, after 25 minutes.
The return of the Argentines in the fourth set indicated a possible resolution of the clash. Led by Vicintin, they took a five-point lead, reaching 10-5.
With the intervention of Bernardinho, who made strategic changes, Brazil closed the gap, remaining just one point behind. Opposite Bryan scored a crucial ace, leveling the score at 20 points. Afterwards, Judson, with an efficient block, put Brazil ahead 22 to 21. Driven by the moment, a precise attack from Arthur Bento ended the set at 25 to 23, forcing a tie-break with the overall score of 2 sets to 2.
The Brazilian athletes, at an overwhelming pace, started the fifth and decisive set with an impressive sequence. A block from Honorato and another ace from Bryan secured an initial 5-2 lead. This lead was solidly maintained throughout the tie-break.
Central Barreto shone with two consecutive blocks, guaranteeing match point at 14 to 9. Soon after, an attack by Luciano Vicintin (ARG) who came from the baseline sealed the Brazilian triumph in the partial by 15 to 9 and in the match by 3 sets to 2.
“I feel happy, we knew it wouldn’t be a simple task. Today, we really behaved like Brazil, we surpassed our own limits”, declared Honorato to Sportv. “Yes, we still have to evolve, but we are on the right path, it is to continue step by step, with each confrontation”, added the player.
The next phase of the 2026 Men’s Volleyball Nations League is scheduled to take place in Slovenia, starting on June 24th.
