Argentina reached the round-of-16 as one of the best third-placed teams at the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship ©Getty Images

Olympic bronze medallists Argentina scraped into the knockout stages of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Men's Volleyball World Championship, edging a five-set clash with Egypt in their final group match.

Argentina had lost their opening two matches against Iran and The Netherlands in five sets in Pool F, leaving them with work to do against an Egypt side who had only won one set from their first two matches, if they were to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

They took a closely-fought first set 27-25 at Arena Stožice in Slovenia's capital Ljubljana, but Egypt hit back to take the second and third 28-26 and 26-24 respectively.

Faced with the prospect of a shock elimination, Argentina delivered 25-17 and 15-6 victories in the fourth and fifth sets to reach the round-of-16.

Opposite Bruno Lima provided a crucial 23 points for Argentina in their victory.

They face a tough tie against Serbia in the knockout stage, after they eased past Tunisia 29-27, 25-15, 25-17 at the Spodek Arena in Katowice.

However, Tunisia finished third in Pool A, and progressed to the next stage of the tournament, where they are due to face the back-to-back defending champions Poland.

Ukraine later came from behind to beat Puerto Rico 24-26, 25-19, 25-16, 25-19 in Pool A, setting up a round-of-16 tie against Pool F winners The Netherlands, who beat Iran 25-22, 21-25, 25-20, 25-18.

Iran are set to take on Brazil in the round-of-16, their opponents topping Pool B and looking to make up for two successive defeats in the final of the FIVB Men's World Championship to Poland.

Brazil won three successive editions of the tournament from 2002 to 2010.

In Pool E, Turkey reached the knockout phase for the first time at the World Championship, beating Canada 25-23, 25-23, 25-17 in Ljubljana to clinch second place and a match against Pool C runners-up the United States.

European champions Italy took top spot in the same pool with a comfortable 25-14, 25-10, 25-14 win against China, setting up a tie against Cuba, the third-placed side in Pool B.

Today's results meant Germany from Pool D were the other third-placed side who qualified for the round-of-16, where they are set to face a Slovenia side who beat them in straight sets yesterday.

Olympic champions France, winners of Pool D, are set to face Pool B runners-up Japan in the other round-of-16 tie.

The Championship resumes with the final phase on Saturday (September 3).