England defeated Argentina 39-10 in a key Pool C match at Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo on Saturday, 5 October. England led 15-3 at the break, despite Owen Farrell’s misses with his boot.
With the win, England became the first team to advance to the Cup Quarterfinals. England tops Pool C with 15 points after defeating Tonga 35-3, the USA 45-7 and then Argentina today. France is in second place in the pool with 9 points after beating Argentina and the USA. Argentina is in third place with 6 points after a 23-21 loss to France before beating Tonga 28-12. Tonga and the USA have zero points.
Remaining Pool matches include France playing Tonga on Sunday, 6 October, Argentina facing the USA on Wednesday 9 October, England playing France on Saturday 12 October, and with Pool play concluding on Sunday, 13 October with the USA facing Tonga.
Match Recap
Argentina attacked early after gathering a loose ball dropped by Billy Vunipola with Ben Urdapilleta executing a kick pass to Matías Moroni on the wing. Moroni kicked ahead and Jonny May carried the ball into in-goal for an Argentina 5-meter scrum. England was pinged for being offsides and Ben Urdapilleta slotted a penalty goal for the Pumas to take a 3-0 lead.
England answered back with a try by Jonny May to take a 5-3 lead with Owen Farrell missing the extras.
In the 17th minute, Argentina’s Tomas Lavanini was issued a red card for a shoulder to the head of Owen Farrell. Lavanni is the most penalized Puma of all-time having 5 yellow cards and 2 red cards. Losing a player early in a match against a team of England’s caliber just spells disaster.
Owen Farrell’s subsequent penalty goal attempt was wide.
England added two more tries in the half. Elliot Day received the ball out wide for a try in the 35th minute and Ben Youngs added another from close range after a dummy. Farrell missed both conversions and left 9 potential points off the board with his inaccuracy.
Second Half
England’s momentum continued with the team going through phases and resulted in a George Ford try with Farrell finding his form and slotting the kick. Farrell then added a penalty goal to push the lead to 25-3.
Argentina answered back with a stellar back movement with Matías Moroni cutting inside for a try and a conversion by fullback Emiliano Boffelli, 25-10.
In the 73rd minute, Jack Nowell scored in the right corner with Farrell adding the extras. England gained a closing try after kicking for territory after an Argentina penalty. From the ensuing lineout, Luke Cowan-Dickie mauled over for a try with Farrell adding the extras for a final of 39-10 to England.
Argentina hooker Agustin Creevy earned his 88th cap as a reserve. He surpassed Felipe Contepomi’s record as the most capped player of all-time for the Pumas.
England’s Sam Underhill was named Player of the Match.
Squads & Match Preview
England: 1 Joe Marler, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Billy Vunipola, 9 Ben Youngs, 10 George Ford, 11, Johnny May, 12 Owen Farrell (capt.), 13 Manu Tuilagi, 14 Anthony Watson, 15 Elliot Daly 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Jack Nowell
Argentina: 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Julián Montoya, 3 Juan Figallo, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Pablo Matera (capt.), 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 10 Benjamín Urdapilleta, 11 Santiago Carreras, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Matías Moroni, 15 Emiliano Boffelli 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Tomás Lezana, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Lucas Mensa, 23 Bautista Delguy
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistants: Angus Gardner (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
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