In an electrifying encounter at Murrayfield, the Argentine national rugby team, known as Los Pumas, achieved a thrilling comeback victory against Scotland, winning 33-24. Despite trailing 21-0 at one point, the Argentine squad demonstrated resilience and skill to turn the match around in the final thirty minutes.
Match Overview
The match was significant for both teams as it affected their positions in the world rankings ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Argentina aimed to improve their sixth-place standing to secure a favorable seed for the upcoming tournament.
First Half Challenges
- Argentina started the match with several handling errors and missed opportunities.
- A yellow card to Juan Cruz Mallía left the team at a numerical disadvantage.
- Scotland capitalized with tries from Jack Dempsey and Ewan Ashman, both converted by Finn Russell, building a 14-point lead.
Argentina struggled to penetrate Scotland’s defense, and their two missed penalty attempts compounded their woes. The halftime break offered a respite from the constant pressure they faced.
Second Half Comeback
The second half began with no initial changes to the Argentine lineup. However, Scotland quickly extended their lead to 21-0 with another try by Ashman, also converted by Russell. In response, Argentine coach Felipe Contepomi made five strategic substitutions, bringing in fresh players to invigorate the team.
As Scotland faced a yellow card for Blair Kinghorn, Argentina seized the moment. Julián Montoya scored the first try for Los Pumas, followed by another from Rodrigo Isgró. Although Santiago Carreras missed a challenging conversion, Argentina’s momentum shifted.
Final Minutes of the Match
Building on their newfound energy, Pedro Rubiolo added another try for Argentina, which Carreras successfully converted. The score drew closer as Argentina’s confidence surged.
They took the lead when Pablo Matera scored, confirmed after TMO review. Carreras extended the lead further with another conversion. Justo Piccardo sealed the game with a spectacular individual effort, scoring another try for Los Pumas and ensuring Carreras converted once more.
Upcoming Challenges
Argentina’s next match is scheduled against England on November 23, aiming to close out the international window on a high note.
Historical Context
The match at Murrayfield was particularly poignant as Argentina had faced a tough defeat against Scotland the previous year. Historically, the teams have faced off 25 times, with Scotland holding a slight edge with 13 wins to Argentina’s 12.
Team Lineups
| Scotland | Argentina |
|---|---|
| Stuart Hogg | Mayco Vivas |
| Darcy Graham | Julián Montoya (captain) |
| Chris Harris | Pedro Delgado |
| Sione Tuipulotu | Guido Petti |
| Duhan van der Merwe | Pedro Rubiolo |
| Finn Russell | Santiago Grondona |
| Ali Price | Juan Martín González |
| Pierre Schoeman | Joaquín Oviedo |
| Fraser Brown | Simón Benítez Cruz |
| Zander Fagerson | Gerónimo Prisciantelli |
| Jonny Gray | Mateo Carreras |
| Grant Gilchrist | Santiago Chocobares |
| Matt Fagerson | Matías Moroni |
| Jamie Ritchie | Rodrigo Isgró |
| Jack Dempsey | Juan Cruz Mallía (vice-captain) |
This match will certainly be remembered for Argentina’s tenacity and ability to overturn a seemingly insurmountable deficit, marking a significant moment in their rugby journey.
