Argentina v England live: Result and final score as George Ford shines on 100th cap
Fly half George Ford became the eighth Englishman to reach a century of caps as Steve Borthwick’s side thrashed the Pumas
England winger Tom Roebuck scored two tries and veteran flyhalf George Ford delivered a virtuoso performance in a 35-12 win over Argentina in the first test in La Plata on Saturday.
Freddie Steward and substitute Cadan Murley also touched down as 32-year-old Ford, celebrating his 100th cap, kicked two penalties, a drop goal and three conversions.
With 14 internationals away on British & Irish Lions duty in Australia, a depleted England side started as underdogs against the Pumas, who beat the Lions in Dublin two weeks ago
A gutsy defensive display, however, was complimented by Ford’s astute leadership in a performance that will add to the debate over whether he, rather than Owen Farrell, should been called up as a Lions injury replacement.
England showed resolute defence in the first half, three times holding up the ball to deny Argentina tries as the hosts crossed the visitors’ goal line but could not dot down.
Yellow cards for lock Alex Coles and debutant Seb Atkinson within six minutes left England down to 13 men but despite this disadvantage, they took the lead from their first foray into Argentina territory when Ford sent over a 20th-minute drop kick for the only points of the first half.
After the break, England went on the attack and scored three tries in the first 10 minutes of the second half to build a commanding 22-0 lead, to a cacophony of jeers for the home side from their supporters.
Roebuck, in only his second international, went over in the corner one minute into the second half, followed four minutes later by a try for Steward on his return to the England line-up as Ford’s pass allowed him to burst through a gap in the home defence.
Roebuck strolled in for his second try after Ford again pulled the strings in a simple move down the line.
The jeers turned to cheers of hope as Argentina attempted a fightback with a 53rd-minute try for veteran flanker Pablo Matera, marking a record-equalling 110th appearance for the Pumas, and a forward inspired break finished off by lock Pedro Rubiolo.
That reduced the deficit to 10 points but Argentine mistakes handed England penalties at key moments and Ford slotted over two penalties to keep the tourists comfortably ahead before Murley’s late try made sure of victory.
The second test is next Saturday in San Juan.
Next weekend..
England take a 1-0 lead in the series and will look to wrap things up next weekend at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, with kick-off set for the same time.
England fly-half George Ford:
“We just wanted to perform well and win tonight. It is all about the team as always. We understand how difficult it is here in Argentina so it is a great win for us.
“We were under pressure in the first half; we gave away too many penalties and could not get out of our half.
“We had to make sure second half we got out of our half and create some try-scoring opportunities, which we did early in the second half.
“We have to back it up next week and we know Argentina will come back at us. Another challenge that we will look forward to.”
Argentina's captain, Julian Montoya:
“In the first half we had a lot of opportunities that we did not score points from. Then the first five minutes of the second half we were very poor so we need to look at ourselves and be better.
“Congratulations to the debutants and we need to be ready for next weekend. Credit to England as they played well.
England's dominant display
At full time, Argentina held the majority of possession with 59% compared to England’s 41%. Argentina also led in carries with 149 to England’s 99.
However, England made significantly more tackles, completing 197 compared to Argentina’s 101, despite missing slightly more tackles (26 versus 21).
Both teams conceded six penalties each, but England received two yellow cards while Argentina had none.
Turnovers were evenly matched with five won apiece, though Argentina lost more turnovers (21 to England’s 13).
In terms of line breaks, Argentina managed six compared to England’s three.
Full-time! England 35-12 Argentina
While England’s attack certainly found more rhythm in the second half, their defence has been consistently strong all game.
Even with the result secured, they continued to demonstrate great commitment from the front line.
Tom Roebuck takes the man of the match award.
Try! England (Murley) 33-12 Argentina
75 mins: England put in a strong scrum just outside Argentina’s 22, overpowering their opponents and gaining a penalty advantage.
What a way to finish an incredible night for England. Deep inside Argentina’s 22, England shifts the ball wide to the left, where Murley beats Isgro and fakes a pass to his left, deceiving Carreras.
Isgro manages to bring Murley down briefly, but he stays on his feet to cross the line and score.
Ford then nails a difficult conversion.
England 28-12 Argentina
72 mins: England hold the ball inside Argentina’s 22 and enjoy a penalty advantage after the hosts are penalised for offside.
However, the opportunity comes to nothing, and play returns to the original penalty against Piccardo for offside. England opt to kick for the corner rather than taking the points.
England secure the lineout and form a maul that drives toward the Argentina try line but eventually collapses. Referee Angus Gardner rules the maul went down off England, awarding the scrum to Argentina.
England 28-12 Argentina
70 mins: Van Poortvliet launches a powerful kick from just outside his own 22 sending the ball soaring deep into Argentina’s 22 before it bounces out of play - an exceptional 50-22 execution.
Penalty! England (Ford) 28-12 Argentina
68 mins: Rodrigo Isgro is penalised for a no-arms tackle on George near halfway. George stays down for treatment after the hit, clearly in some discomfort.
It looked like the kind of challenge the TMO might review for a possible yellow, but it’s ruled as just a penalty. George is back up, and England will take another shot at goal.
George Ford secures the extra points again.
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