Japan defeated Argentina in a crunch match at the Volleyball Men's World Championships but it did not prove enough ©FIVB

Japan defeated Argentina in a crunch match at the Volleyball Men's World Championships but it did not prove enough as the South Americans went through anyway.

The Group A clash was the only game played today with a qualification place riding on it as the first group stage of the tournament came to a close across co-host nations Italy and Bulgaria.

Argentina started the match with a record of two wins and two defeats with Japan on one win and three defeats.

It meant the Japanese had the chance to go above their rivals and claim the fourth qualification place for the second group phase from Group A.

They did win, but as it went to five sets Argentina picked up a losing bonus point which was enough to qualify.

Japan won 26-24, 20-25, 30-32, 25-20, 15-13 at the Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence.

Elsewhere in the group, hosts Italy ensured they topped the pile with a 100 per cent record as they beat Slovenia 23-25, 25-19, 25-13, 25-18.

Belgium finished second and Slovenia third.

All of the qualified teams in the other group had already been decided but the games still mattered as each side to progress takes their points record with them.

Pool B at the Arena Ruse in Bulgaria saw Brazil whitewash China 25-21, 25-22, 25-17 to top the pile.

France beat Canada 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-17 with the countries finishing third and fourth respectively.

World champions Poland defeated hosts Bulgaria and remain unbeaten ©FIVB
World champions Poland defeated hosts Bulgaria and remain unbeaten ©FIVB

The Netherlands ended in second.

In Pool C at the PalaFlorio in Bari, United States maintained their perfect record with a 25-12, 25-18, 25-13 win over Tunisia.

Serbia finished second after beating Russia, who ended third, 25-21, 24-26, 25-17, 22-25, 15-12 in a thriller.

Australia have gone through in fourth.

Pool D at the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna saw defending champions Poland end on top with a 100 per cent record.

They beat hosts Bulgaria in four, 25-14, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23.

Bulgaria have ended in third with Iran second after their 25-19, 22-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12 success over fourth-place Finland.

The second group stage will begin on September 21 after two rest and travel days.

Pool E will feature Italy, The Netherlands, Finland and Russia while in Pool F, Brazil, Belgium, Slovenia and Australia will collide.

The US, Iran, Bulgaria and Canada will play in Pool G with Pool H pitting together Poland, Serbia, France and Argentina.

The winners of each pool and the best two runners-up will go through to a third group stage.