Rio de Janeiro - Defending Olympic champion Russia overpowered Iran 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-20) for its fourth victory and one loss in Pool B of the men’s volleyball tournament at Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The winner took third place of the pool and Iran finished in fourth place.

Raul Lozano’s men have been scheduled to meet Italy on Wednesday.

Russia outscored Iran in spikes 40-37, blocks 10-7, aces 5-1 and made only 14 unforced errors compared to 20 by the losers.

Maxim Mikhaylov led Russia with 18 points, including three blocks and one ace, while Egor Kliuka charted 10 in the win. Artem Volvich contributed three blocks and finished with points.

Motjaba Mirzanjapour was the best Iranian scorer with 15 points, with 13 of those via attacks.

Iran came all the way back from a four-point gap to tie at 19-all with a spike by Mousavi but kills by Tetyukin and Kliuka gave back the lead to Russia at 22-20.

 The Iranians bounced back to tie at 23-23 behind the attacks of Gholami and Mousavi but Russia closed the set 25-23 on the shoulder of Volvich and Kliuka, fivb.org wrote.

In the second set, Kliuka gave Russia a two-point lead for 9-7 and they steadily increased the margin behind good serves and defence at the net. Russia took the set 25-16 with five blocks in the process, two by Mikhaylov.

The third set was close up to halfway when Kliuka landed a spike and Volvich blocked Ghafour for a two-point Russian advantage they never relinquished. Mikhaylov blocked Ebadipour for 25-20.