England secured a 31-24 victory over Argentina in a chaotic Nations Championship match in Santiago del Estero. The result was decided by a late Television Match Official (TMO) call that disallowed a last-gasp try for the hosts.
The match saw England, at one point reduced to 13 players, hold on against a strong Argentina comeback. The decisive moment occurred when Argentina wing Bautista Delguy scored in the corner during the final play, with the on-field referee Angus Gardner initially awarding the try. However, TMO Brett Cronan intervened, ruling that Delguy was in touch, leading to the try being disallowed despite Gardner’s initial assessment.
This victory marks England’s second win in the inaugural Nations Championship, positioning them third in the Northern Hemisphere table after the summer series of games. The fixture was particularly significant for England coach Steve Borthwick, following a season where the team had only one win in the Six Nations.
Match Highlights and Discipline Issues
England established an early lead with a try from Tommy Freeman and two scores from Ben Earl, giving them a 16-point advantage at half-time. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso also contributed an individual try that momentarily quieted the home crowd.
However, the match was characterised by numerous yellow cards, with a combined total of seven shown. England received four yellow cards in the second half, twice playing with only 13 men. Jack van Poortvliet, Alex Coles, Henry Pollock, and Emmanuel Iyogun were all sent to the sin-bin for England. Argentina also had three players sent to the bin, including Joaquin Oviedo and Santiago Carreras.
One of Argentina’s tries came from Justo Piccardo in the 80th minute, setting up the dramatic final moments. The home side’s comeback was fuelled by a penalty try awarded after Alex Coles was sin-binned for an illegal infringement at a ruck.
The match also featured Argentina players wearing replica 1986 World Cup football kits, a gesture that added to the atmosphere of the encounter. Fans displayed banners referencing the Falkland Islands, contributing to a hostile reception for the visiting team.
Despite the disciplinary challenges, England’s defence, notably from players like Ollie Chessum, Ellis Genge, and Joe Heyes, proved resilient. Henry Slade’s covering tackle on Delguy was highlighted as a crucial play in the final moments.
Aftermath and Coach Reactions
The win provides England with some breathing room, especially after a tough defeat against South Africa at Ellis Park and a significant win against Fiji in Liverpool. Steve Borthwick expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance, commending their spirit and togetherness.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, named player of the match, acknowledged the team’s disciplinary issues but praised the dramatic finish and the atmosphere created by the Argentina fans. He stated that despite the discipline not being ideal, they managed to secure the victory.
Argentina’s head coach, Felipe Contepomi, reportedly cut short his post-match press conference, citing the volume of celebratory music from the England dressing room as a sign of disrespect. This victory marks England’s sixth consecutive win on Argentinian soil.
The match concluded with England holding on for a 31-24 victory after the TMO decision.
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Source: bbc.com
