Top scorer of the game Matt Anderson of USA gets the ball past Brazil's Ricardo Lucarelli at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 11, 2016 - With their back against the wall, USA delivered to beat Brazil 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20) and get back in the race for a ticket to the men's volleyball quarterfinals of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games - at the same time denying the hosts an early ticket.
Although Brazil could have mathematically qualified tonight if they had won, the result further complicates the situation in what has been dubbed the 'pool of death'. For USA though it was a very welcome breath of fresh air after going down in their first two matches of the competition.
The end of the second set was decisive in the final outcome. With Brazil ahead 22-20 and on track to tie the game, USA rallied with four straight points on a sideout kill by Matt Anderson, two monster blocks by Taylor Sander and Max Holt and an ace by Micah Christenson to reach set point with one to spare. Brazil pulled one back, but Bruno Rezende's service at 23-24 was beatifully received, for Aaron Russell to bring it home down the middle.
Brazil did go on to win the third and stay alive in the game, but this only prolonged the agony of the sellout crowd at the Maracanazinho, as USA reacted to take a quick lead in the fourth and carry on to win the game.
Anderson led the scoring for USA, bringing in 24 points, as the current holders of the FIVB World Cup outblocked (8 stuffs to 6) and outserved (9 aces to 4) Brazil. Russell added another 19 for the winners. Wallace de Souza scored 15 and Lucas Saatkamp 14 for the home side.
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