England completed a 2-0 series victory over Argentina with a hard-earned 22-17 win in the second test match. Following a comprehensive 35-12 defeat in the first encounter, Los Pumas, the Argentinian national team, implemented a significantly more conservative tactical approach aimed at frustrating England`s attack. While the strategy kept the match tight, it ultimately proved insufficient to secure a victory.
The match began with England showing attacking intent. Scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet was involved early, setting up a move finished by Seb Atkinson, following a precise kick pass from fly-half George Ford to open the scoring. Argentina responded by opting for a penalty goal through Santi Carreras when attacking opportunities stalled.
A turning point in the first half saw England flanker Ben Curry receive a yellow card. Los Pumas capitalised on the numerical advantage efficiently, with Lucio Cinti crossing for a try. Despite this setback for England, scores continued to be exchanged, leading to a narrow 17-14 lead for Argentina at the halftime interval.
In the second half, Argentina committed fully to their defensive blueprint. They focused on maintaining a compact defensive line, largely containing play between the halfway line and their own 22-metre area. Kicking was used frequently to relieve pressure and force England to build phases from deep within their own territory.
George Ford successfully kicked a penalty goal to level the scores at 17-17. A significant moment for Argentina was Pablo Matera becoming the country`s most-capped player with his 111th appearance. However, this milestone was perhaps not quite the celebration he envisioned, as he received a yellow card and did not return to the field afterwards, further challenging Argentina`s ability to maintain their defensive shape.
Despite Argentina`s determined resistance and commitment to stifling the game, England maintained pressure. With the clock winding down, perseverance paid off. In the 79th minute, Jack van Poortvliet, fittingly involved in both of England`s decisive scores, broke through the resilient Argentinian defence to score the match-winning try.
The late try secured the 22-17 victory for England. While Argentina`s tactical shift resulted in a far more competitive fixture compared to the first test, their inability to break the deadlock or sustain their defensive intensity for the full 80 minutes against England`s persistent attack ultimately led to their second defeat of the series.
Final Score: Argentina (17) 17 – 22 (14) England
Gareth Pendleton