Immanuel Fay-Waboso’s beautiful aim sealed the deal for England, who survived nerve-wracking additional time to win 31-24 and keep away from additional heartbreak towards Argentina.
Steve Borthwick’s aspect survived a customary disciplinary blowout in a stormy match in Santiago del Estero, three days after their soccer opponents had been eradicated from the World Cup by shedding 2-1 to Argentina within the semi-finals.
Yellow playing cards for Jacques van Poeltvliet, Alex Coles, Henry Pollock and Emmanuel Iyogun compelled 13 gamers to play for a complete of 9 minutes, however they nonetheless gave it their all for a second straight win.
England may have been proven 14 yellow playing cards and one crimson card in eight video games in 2026.
It was Fay-Waboso’s dynamic solo attempt within the 69th minute that put the top for Argentina, and his willingness to chase the ball paid off because the Exeter winger grew to become probably the most harmful participant on the sector.
England, nevertheless, confronted an agonizing wait three minutes into additional time as referees checked Bautista Delgui’s potential attempt into the right-hand nook, however video referee Brett Cronan dominated the rating out regardless of a doable excessive deal with by Noah Caruori within the build-up, and Henry Slade’s deal with thwarted the attempt.
Argentina appeared extra enthusiastic about enjoying off the ball than enjoying rugby, however they got here to their senses in time for the second half and even threatened an upset.
The nationwide anthem, “La Quarta Estrella,” performed because the soccer crew superior to the World Cup finals, roused the house followers earlier than kickoff, and fewer than 4 minutes later a scuffle broke out as each groups exchanged horns within the right-hand nook.
Sadly for the Pumas, it broke out after Tommy Freeman latched on to Finn Smith’s kick and crossed, however other than some unfastened passing, it was a satisfying begin as they confirmed defensive dedication when wanted.
Fay-Waboso burst by means of the blue wall at will, and the excellent Joe Hayes collected a turnover earlier than shifting away once more, permitting Ben Earl to attain his crew’s second attempt.
Mateo Carreras was proven a yellow card for a harmful deal with on Freeman, and the Argentine gamers took exception to Jamie George’s celebrations after Earl scored a landing to reward a scrum during which he darted ahead.
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The scuffle subsided and Pumas supporters briefly reacted to Argentina’s off-the-ball aggression, however had been silenced all through by England’s dominance.
Carreras went down with out a lot fuss early within the second half and England had been on the verge of shedding the conflict, however issues had been made worse when Van Poortvliet was proven a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.
Coles was joined within the sin-bin by Van Poortvliet, who took a deliberate knock-on after Slade pulled down a racing Thomas Albornoz, and Angus Gardner additionally awarded a penalty attempt because the incident came about on the final minute.
Joaquín Oviedo’s harmful clearance that left Man Pepper within the stands for 10 minutes gave England some relaxation, and the arrival of Henry Pollock from the bench gave them an injection of vitality.
Pollock’s carry led to Marcus Smith’s cross in the proper nook earlier than Fay-Waboso completed nicely for the Northampton flanker.
Iyogun was the following to be despatched off and Argentina had the ultimate say by means of Justo Picardo, however England survived a tense ultimate few seconds that would have given Pumas a draw and narrowly gained.
