China defeated Croatia 3–2 in the Quarter-finals – Final Round of the FIVB Girls’ U17 World Championship 2026 on 14 August 2026 in Santiago, Chile.
The quarter-final went the full five sets, with China recovering after Croatia won the third set. The set scores were 25–23, 25–21, 20–25, 19–25 and 15–7 in China’s favour.
China made the stronger start to the match, winning the opening set 25–23. Croatia stayed close throughout the set, but China managed to reach the required points first and took an early 1–0 lead.
China then extended its advantage in the second set. The Chinese side again held off Croatia in a competitive game, winning 25–21 to move within one set of the semi-finals.
Croatia responded strongly in the third set. With the match on the line, Croatia improved its performance and secured a 25–20 victory. The result reduced China’s advantage to 2–1 and kept Croatia in contention.
The fourth set saw Croatia continue its comeback. Croatia won 25–19, levelling the quarter-final at two sets apiece and forcing a deciding fifth set.
China regained control in the final set. The Chinese side pulled away from Croatia and secured a convincing 15–7 victory in the deciding set. That completed the 3–2 result and sent China through to the semi-finals.
The match was therefore decided after five sets, with both teams winning two sets before China took control of the deciding game.
Standout Performances
China’s ability to close out the deciding set was crucial to the result. After losing consecutive third and fourth sets, China responded with its strongest performance of the match in the fifth.
Croatia demonstrated resilience after falling 2–0 behind. Winning the third and fourth sets allowed Croatia to level the match and force a deciding set.
No individual player statistics are visible in the supplied match record, so individual scoring figures and other player statistics have not been added.
Turning Point
The fourth set was an important moment in the quarter-final. Croatia’s 25–19 victory levelled the match at 2–2 and forced China into a deciding fifth set.
China then produced a clear response, winning the final set 15–7 to secure its place in the semi-finals.
Match Statistics
- Tournament: FIVB Girls’ U17 World Championship 2026
- Category: Women’s U17
- Round: Quarter-finals – Final Round
- Match: #83
- Date: 14 August 2026
- Location: Santiago, Chile
- Winner: China
- Runner-up: Croatia
- Match Score: China 3–2 Croatia
- Set Scores: 25–23, 25–21, 20–25, 19–25, 15–7
- Result: China advanced to the semi-finals.