It took a twist of luck - or rather a big mistake - for the hopes of qualifying agents for the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup-2019 to get out of hand. In front of England, ogre of the pool C, the Albiceleste put the envy, the fight, but shot himself in the foot just after the first quarter of an hour, conceding a red card. Reduced to fourteen, and in all logic for a top tackle of Lavanini on Farrell, the men of Mario Ledesma logically ended up bowing before the thrusts of the XV of the Rose (39-10).
A defeat that sounds almost the death knell of Argentinian hopes on this vintage 2019 since in case of victory Sunday against Tonga, the Blues will accompany England, the first official qualifier for the quarters and leave the Albiceleste docked.
The Pumas, who had promised to play the "match of their life" against the English, were however rather well entered in the game, opening the score by the boot of Urdapilleta (0-3, 7th) after a long phase of domination. But on their first foray, Eddie Jones's players set the record straight: a well-worn carry-on ball from the 22 opponents, which May went to corner after a Ford service (5-3, 9th) .
Lavanini sees red
Then, turn, and in two acts. At first, the referee Nigel Owens was lenient to Matera, guilty of a late tackle on an opponent, leaving his cards in the pocket (12th). But even warned, the Argentineans were at fault five minutes later, by Lavanini. After watching the video, Mr. Owens this time decided to release a rather logical red card (18th).
With one man less, however, Argentina did not abdicate. For nearly twenty minutes, the South Americans have held the gap in the score, helped by English not really inspired despite their numerical superiority. It is finally flush, in power, that Daly (10-3, 35e) then Youngs (15-3, 40e + 2) materialized the advantage of theirs before the break, not really helped by a catastrophic Farrell at the foot , with four missed attempts (0/4).
Express bonus
After the break, the English striker finally unlocked his counter, turning into corner a new English test signed Ford (22-3, 47th), and synonymous with offensive bonus, then converting a new penalty against the posts (25- 3, 54e).
Jousted in all compartments of the game except touch, the Argentineans have still enjoyed one of their few games to get a try, for the honor, by Moroni (25-10, 71). But it was all the same the English who had the last word in this collapsed shock, on a nice breakthrough right side of Nowell (32-10, 74th) then a test on a balloon signed Cowan-Cickie (39-10, 80th).
A great success that confirms the first place of the XV of the Rose in Pool C of this World Cup and which therefore places France in an ideal position in the race to the quarter-finals. A Sunday success against Tonga, and the Blues have fulfilled their contract, even before the "crunch" scheduled on October 10.