China defeat Colombia 3-1 to reach last 16 at FIVB World Championship

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-26/China-defeat-Colombia-3-1-to-reach-last-16-at-FIVB-World-Championship-1G9h8ETE8yQ/img/665dfd9bfd5047d29cfb4559e2d3de8a/665dfd9bfd5047d29cfb4559e2d3de8a.png' alt='Ni Feifan (#17) reacts after China score a point against Colombia in a pool play match at the FIVB Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, August 25, 2025. / VCG'

China clinched a spot in the round of 16 at the FIVB Women’s World Championship, after beating Colombia 3-1 to pick up their second straight win in pool play on Monday. Coach Zhao Yong’s squad proved too strong for the South Americans, taking the contest 25-16, 23-25, 25-14, 25-16.

The Chinese side started quickly and jumped out to a 5-0 edge in the first set, highlighted by a crushing block from Wang Yuanyuan. But Colombia responded by taking seven points in a row to lead 7-5.

China regrouped immediately and moved in front 22-14 after a thundering spike from Wang, before maintaining their momentum to eventually claim the frame 25-16.

The Colombians turned the tables, however, and grabbed the second set 25-23 to level the match at 1-1.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-26/China-defeat-Colombia-3-1-to-reach-last-16-at-FIVB-World-Championship-1G9h8ETE8yQ/img/629305968a484f66bbd07209c20fdfbc/629305968a484f66bbd07209c20fdfbc.png' alt='China's Zhuang Yushan (#2) spikes the ball against Colombia's Maria Alejandra Marin (#15) and Valerin Carabali (#6) in a pool play match at the FIVB Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, August 25, 2025. / VCG'

Zhao sent on Tang Xin to replace Wu Mengjie at the start of the third, and her strong serves and powerful spikes made a big difference, as she scored seven points in the set to help China take the upper hand. They went on to wrap it up 25-14, moving back into a 2-1 overall lead.

Fifth-ranked China stayed in control with Zhuang Yushan’s devastating block putting them ahead 16-10 in the fourth set. China closed things out 25-16 to complete a 3-1 victory, and will face the Dominican Republic on Wednesday for top spot in the pool.