WCH 2025: Iran survive Philippines to reach Round of 16. France eliminated from after a thriller vs Argentina!

Article in collaboration Ivan (from Quezon City) and Danijel (from Pasay City) ©️Volleytimes.com

What a drama in last day of 2025 Volleyball World Championship Pool Stage!
The Philippines nearly performed one of the biggest shocks of the tournament, pushing Asian powerhouse Iran to the very very very limit before falling in a thrilling tie-break, 22-20!
The Pool A game in Pasay City was played on a high level and the Philippines, considered outsiders before the competition, came in with one victory in their pocket and still dreaming of a spot in the knockout stage. Iran, equally pressured, also needed the win to stay alive.
And the battle respected al predictions, and 2-3 (25:21, 21:25, 25:17, 23:25, 20:22) was the final result.
The hosts take first set 25:21, then Iran responded closing second one 21:25, while the next two sets were split again, setting up a decisive tie-break. The fifth set went far beyond the usual 15-point finish. At 19:18, it seemed Philippines had sealed a true miracle, but a successful video challenge by Iran overturned a crucial point, swinging momentum back.
From there, Iran held their nerve and clinched the never ending set 22:20, earning their ticket to the Round of 16 led by Poriya Hossein Khanzadeh and Ali Hajipour MoghadDam, who scored 22 points each, just like Bryan Bagunas, who tallied the same number of points on the other side of the net, closely followed by Leo Ordiales who added 21.
Iran close Pool Stage at second place behind Tunisia who, earlier, trampled over Egypt in straight sets.

In one of the biggest shocks of the competition, in Pool C in Quezon City, Olympic champions France have been knocked out in the group stage following a dramatic 2-3 (26:28, 23:25, 25:21, 25:20, 12:15) loss to Argentina.
France, who started the competion among the big favorites, were stunned by a resilient Argentina that never gave up despite the rollercoaster scoreline. After dropping the first two sets (26-28, 23-25), France roared back to level the match, taking the next two sets (25-21, 25-20). However, in decisive tie-break, the rivals held their nerve to seal a famous 15-12 victory and take their ticket to the Round of 16.
The defeat leaves France, led by star names like Earvin Ngapeth, out of contention far earlier than anyone expected.
Luciano Vicentin with 22 points led the winners to a well deserved win, well supported by Luciano Palonsky who added 17. Double digit also for Agustin Loser and Pablo Koukartsev, who added 12 and 10, respectively.
Trevor Clevenot top-scored France with 16 points, supported by a solid performance from Théo Faure, who added 13 coming off the bench.
Adding to France’s disappointment, middle blocker Barthélémy Chinenyeze suffered a knee injury during the fourth set and had to leave the court with the help of teammates.
The defending Olympic champions now head home empty-handed, while Argentina march on with momentum and belief after this great win.
With this win, Argentina win Pool C, followed by second-placed Finland who today beat Korea in four sets.

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🌏| 2025 FIVB World Championship | Pool Stage

Thursday September 18, 2025

Pool H | 📍 Pasay City
• 10.00 (Local Time) | Brazil – Serbia 0-3 (22:25, 20:25, 22:25)

Pool C | 📍 Quezon City
• 10.30 (Local Time) | Finland – Korea 3-1 (25:18, 25:23, 17:25, 21:25)

Pool A | 📍 Pasay City
• 13.30 (Local Time) | Egypt – Tunisia 0-3 (19:25, 18:25, 22:25)

Pool F | 📍 Quezon City
• 14.00 (Local Time) | Belgium – Algeria 3-0 (25:22, 25:20, 25:12)

👉🏼Pool A | 📍 Pasay City
• 17.30 (Local Time) | Philippines – Iran 2-3 (25:21, 21:25, 25:17, 23:25, 20:22)

🏐| POOL A FINAL STANDINGS
1. Tunisia 6
2. Iran 5
3. Philippines 4
4. Egypt 3

👉🏼Pool C | 📍 Quezon City
• 18.00 (Local Time) | France – Argentina 2-3 (26:28, 23:25, 25:21, 25:20, 12:15)

🏐| POOL C FINAL STANDINGS
1. Argentina 7
2. Finland 6
3. France 5
4. Korea 0

Pool H | 📍 Pasay City
• 21.00 (Local Time) | Czech Republic – China 3-0 (26:24, 25:19, 25:18)

🏐| POOL H FINAL STANDINGS
1. Serbia 6
2. Czech Republic 6
3. Brazil 6
4. China 0

Pool F | 📍 Quezon City
• 21.30 (Local Time) | Italy – Ukraine 3-0 (25:21, 25:22, 25:18)

🏐| POOL F FINAL STANDINGS
1. Belgium 8
2. Italy 7
3. Ukraine 3
4. Algeria 0

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NEXT GAMES | Round of 16

Saturday September 20, 2025 📍 Pasay City

• 15.30 (Local Time) | Türkiye (B1) – Netherlands (G2)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Poland (G1) – Canada (B2)

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Sunday September 21, 2025 📍 Pasay City

• 15.30 (Local Time) | Argentina (C1) – Italy (F2)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Belgium (F1) – Finland (C2)

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Monday September 22, 2025 📍 Pasay City

• 15.30 (Local Time) | Bulgaria (D1) – Portugal (E2)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | USA (E1) – Slovenia (D2)

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Tuesday September 23, 2025 📍 Pasay City

• 15.30 (Local Time) | Tunisia (A1) – Czech Republic (H2)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Serbia (H1) – Iran (A2)

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