Portugal reverse sweep Colombia to stay alive at Men's Volleyball World Championship and put Cuba under pressure

Playing for their life at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, Portugal found strength from within to overcome a two-set deficit and beat Colombia on Wednesday to keep their chances of advancing to the tournament's Round of 16.

Europeans and South Americans played in the first match of the day at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and the Portuguese triumphed 3-2 (23-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 15-11) after seeing elimination very close.

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The two points earned with the victory don't seal the deal for the Portuguese, but make them get to five points in Pool D and pass Cuba, which have three, for second place. The Caribbean face pool leaders the United States, who are guaranteed in the elimination rounds with six points, later on Wednesday and need to win to be among the top two teams in the pool.

Outside hitter Nuno Marques was the match's leading scorer with 19 points (13 kills, four blocks, two aces), three more than opposite José Pinto. Middle blockers Kelton Tavares and Filip Cveticanin tallied 12 points each for Portugal.

"We knew that we needed to win to have a chance of advancing, and we got nervous at the start of the match," Pinto revealed. "At some point, we realized we had to shake it off and start playing. Now we'll get back to the hotel room and watch the Cuba and USA match, hoping things go our way."

Opposite Ronald Jiménez and outside hitter Juan Felipe Benevides scored each 18 points for Colombia, which ended their first-ever participation at the World Championship without a victory.

"The experience here was very good," said middle blocker and team captain Leandro Ararat. "Today, we got on the court determined to win. We played very well in the first two sets, but I think their experience helped them come back. We're frustrated, but that's sports."

Portugal had more success at the net, overcoming Colombia in kills (61 to 60) and blocks (14 to eight), but were outscored in aces (four to nine). The Europeans also made fewer errors than their opponents (25 to 30).

2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship: Match Schedule & Results

The encounter between Cuba and the United States, which will complete Pool D's match schedule in Pasay City, is set to start at 17:30 local time (9:30 GMT).

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