Kumagaya (Japan) (AFP)

Eliminated after defeats against France and England, Argentina left the World Cup with a smile after winning the United States (47-17) on Wednesday in Kumagaya.

After the seven tries, the Pumas triumphed Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 36, who was playing his last match with the Pumas. "It was important to win to honor him," said captain Pablo Matera.

Leguizamon was the last representative of the "2007 generation", the phalanx that had brought the Pumas to third place in the 2007 World Cup. Before confirming with a quarter-finalist place in 2011, then an accession to half -finals, four years later in England.

Victims of the "chicken of death", the Pumas will be the big absentees of the quarter-finals, at the end of next week.

Coach Mario Ledesma, who should keep his place at the head of the Pumas, intends to rely on some of the young players lined up on Wednesday, as the center Juan Cruz Mallia, 22, author of two tests, or wingers Bautista Delguy and Santiago Carreras.

"In the next two or three years, we will rely on young people, especially those we saw at the Under-20 World Championship," projected Mario Ledesma.

Meanwhile, the Pumas have ensured the essential: the success on the United States ensures the third place in Pool C and guarantees their presence at the World-2023 in France.

© 2019 AFP