Russia enjoyed a 25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 25-23 victory against Canada in Pool 11 as they won a seventh match from eight played.

It was much tougher for Iran in front of an expectant home crowd as they tackled a resilient Poland.

The hosts found themselves 2-1 down before digging deep to clinch a 25-20, 21-25, 18-25, 25-17, 15-8 victory.

France were humbled at Palais des Victoires in Cannes when they suffered just a second defeat of the campaign in Pool 12 to drop to fourth.

They lost to unfancied Argentina 25-18, 25-17, 19-25, 22-14.

In the pool's other match, the United States secured their fourth win in the league against lowly Germany as they ran out 25-22, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20 winners.

Brazil eased to a 25-15, 25-18, 25-22 triumph against Pool 9 rivals China at Multiusos de Gondomar in Portugal.

The win makes it seven successes from eight for the Brazilians.

Serbia edged a five-set thriller in a topsy-turvy encounter against hosts Portugal.

The game went all the way to the wire as Serbia ran out 21-25, 25-15, 25-22, 30-32, 15-9 winners for their fourth league win of the campaign.

At the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria, Italy recorded a second straight victory with a 25-18, 30-32, 25-18, 25-15 win against Australia in Pool 10.

A thrilling battle between hosts Bulgaria and Japan went the way of the visitors as they earned a 22-25, 25-19, 16-25, 25-19, 23-21 victory.