Brilliant Argentina down Wales to Advance to World Cup Semi Finals

Argentina and Wales put on a masterclass Rugby World Cup Quarter Final. The Pumas slayed the Dragons in Marseille, France. The 29-17 victory sees Argentina into the Rugby World Cup Semi Finals. Argentina will face either Ireland or New Zealand in the Semi Final in Paris on Friday, October 20.

The match gives Argentina the Celtic Quarter Finals Triple-Crown. Argentina has now eliminated Ireland, Scotland and Wales in Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals. Los Pumas won the 2007 Quarter Final against Scotland and the 2015 Quarter Final against Ireland.

Argentina are through to the semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2023 after Nicolas Sanchez’s late try and penalty secured a 29-17 victory over Wales at Stade de Marseille on Saturday.

Los Pumas started well but could not capitalize. Emiliano Boffelli’s early kick at goal was off target. The South Americans had been deep in Welsh territory and looking ominous.

Wales struck back with a bang. The sting of the Dragons was applied with veteran George North making half-break. He off-loaded from the floor to Gareth Davies who found Dan Biggar to score under the posts. Biggar converted for a 7-0 lead after 14 minutes.

Biggar closed out the opening quarter with a  penalty. Wales were 10-0 ahead despite the game having been balanced.

Trench-warfare resumed in the second quarter. Two penalties deep in the Welsh 22 saw Boffelli making it a 10-6 scoreline at half-time. Both saw Argentina advancing deep and threatening to score tries.

The third quarter started much the same. Boffelli landed two further penalties. The second of his second-half penalties was a mighty strike from 56 meters. Argentina were now ahead for the first time in the game.

Tomas Williams restored Wales’ lead. The replacement scrum-half spotted space to break from the base of a ruck. The 56th minute score made it 17-12. Wales were back in the lead though Argentina were playing the better rugby.

Los Pumas needed tries. Replacement Joel Sclavi delivered in the 67th minute. His classic props’ score saw him barging over from a close range pick-and-go. Boffelli converted to put Argentina 19-17 up.

The replacements would prove to be decisive again for Los Pumas. A break from Rio Dyer sent Argentina back repeated. Dyer off-loaded from he floor to Tomos Williams who found Louis Rees-Zammit. The speedy winger looked to be over only for a heroic tackle from Matías Moroni to tackle Rees-Zammit into touch.

Argentina sealed the win with with four minutes remaining. Discipline meant Argentina did not concede penalties in kickable areas of the field. Wales looked to run with Nicolás Sánchez latching on to a pass from Sam Costelow. El Tucumano intercepted and ran 49 meters to score.

Argentina won a turn-over penalty in the final minute. Sánchez used the game clock and landed the penalty. Time was over with Argentina qualifying for the Rugby World Cup Semi Finals.

All bets are off come Semi Finals. Argentina will face a team that have delivered against before. Either Ireland whom Argentina eliminated from Rugby World Cups 1999, 2007 and 2015 or New Zealand whom Argentina defeated in 2020 in Sydney and 2022 in Christchurch.

SCORING

ARGENTINA (29)
Try – J Sclavi (68′), N Sanchez (77′)
Con – E Boffelli 2/2 (69′, 78′)
Pen – E Boffelli 4/5 (39′, 45′, 44′, 48′), N Sanchez 1/1 (81′)

WALES (17)
Try – D Biggar (14′), T Williams (55′)
Con – D Biggar 2/2 (16′, 55′)
Pen – D Biggar 1/2 (21′)

TEAMS

ARGENTINA
1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Julián Montoya, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Juan Martín González, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Facundo Isa, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 10 Santiago Carreras, 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 15 Juan Cruz Mallía

Replacements: 16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Joel Sclavi, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Matías Alemanno, 20 Rodrigo Bruni, 21 Lautaro Bazán Vélez, 22 Nicolás Sánchez, 23 Matías Moroni

 

WALES
1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Adam Beard, 6 Jac Morgan (Capt.), 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 9 Gareth Davies, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Josh Adams, 12 Nick Tompkins, 13 George North, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 15 Liam Williams

Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Christ Tshiunza, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Rio Dyer

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jaco Peyper (ZA) Karl Dickson (UK)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (UK); Andrea Picardy (IT)
TMO: Marius Jonker (ZA)