Argentina vs Samoa LIVE: Rugby World Cup result, final score and reaction

Argentina look for their first win in Pool D as they clash with Samoa in Saint-Etienne

Samoa's full-back Duncan Paia'aua (C) challenges Argentina's full-back Juan Cruz Mallia (C/L) for a high ball (AFP via Getty Images)

Fullback Emiliano Boffelli scored 16 points in a man-of-the-match performance as Argentina got their Rugby World Cup campaign back on track with a hardfought 19-10 victory over a committed Samoa on Friday.

Boffelli scored an early try and converted four of five kicks from the tee to get the Pumas back to winning ways after the disappointment of their 27-10 loss to 14-man England in their Pool D opener.

“It’s a massive victory for us, very important for this tournament,” Argentina captain Julian Montoya said after first thanking his noisy compatriots in the stands.

“The last game against England, we didn’t do what we were supposed to do, today we did it pretty well. Still plenty to improve but that’s exciting too.”

Samoa managed just one penalty kick from former Wallabies flyhalf Christian Leali’ifano until replacement hooker Sama Malolo barged his way over the line for his third try of the tournament five minutes from time.

That set up a frenetic finale but Nicolas Sanchez, coming off the bench to win his 99th cap for Argentina, lashed over a final penalty from just inside the Samoa half to make the game safe.

Follow all the traction from the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard below.

Rugby World Cup 2023: Argentina vs Samoa

• Argentina take on Samoa in Pool D with kick off at 4:45pm
• The Pumas lost their opening game to England
• Samoa defeated Chile last time out and sit second in Pool D
• Duncan Paia’aua is yellow carded 35 seconds in
• Emiliano Boffelli scores Argentina’s first try
• Boffelli adds to the scoreline with a penalty
• Christian Leali’ifano gets Samoa on the scoreboard with a penalty
• Boffelli slots a second penalty

[22 September 2023 17:40 · Imogen Ainsworth]

First half stats - individual

Here are some individual stats from the first half:

Most tackles: Seilala Lam (Samoa, 12)

Most metres: Mateo Carreras (Argentina, 59)

Most gainline-crossing carries: Mateo Carreras (Argentina, 5)

[22 September 2023 17:33 · Imogen Ainsworth]

HALF TIME Argentina 13 - 3 Samoa

A hugely physical first half and Argentina have a ten-point lead going into the break. Two out of three missed penalties from Leali’ifano have seen them only score three points in the first half. The rain has certainly played a factor in the first half, lots of errors for both sides.

[22 September 2023 17:27 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Argentina 13 - 3 Samoa - Samoa missed penalty

37 mins, Samoa win a penalty at the scrum as they overpower Argentina but Leali’ifano’s kick goes wide. He’ll be disappointed with that one as it was from much shorter range than the previous and he misses the opportunity to put his side within a score of Argentina with three minutes until half time.

[22 September 2023 17:23 · Imogen Ainsworth]

ARGENTINA PENALTY Argentina 13 - Samoa 3 33 mins

Boffelli slots an easy penalty in front of the posts as Samoa are penalised for being offside.

[22 September 2023 17:17 · Imogen Ainsworth]

SAMOA PENALTY Argentina 10 - 3 Samoa

Leali’ifano gets Samoa on the scoreboard as his kick from 49 metres out bounces off of the crossbar and goes over!

[22 September 2023 17:14 · Imogen Ainsworth]

ARGENTINA PENALTY. Argentina 10 - 0 Samoa 24 mins

Tumua Manu and Fritz Lee offside and give away the penalty and Boffelli converts from 45 metres.

[22 September 2023 17:10 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Argentina 7 - 0 Samoa

21 mins, Argentina scrum. Lots of handling errors out there as the weather plays its part in the match making the ball slippery. It’s a Samoan knock on and Argentina have a scrum.

Samoa have also missed eight tackles so far this half.

[22 September 2023 17:04 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Penalty missed. Argentina 7 - 0 Samoa 15 mins

Christian Leali’ifano misses his penalty kick attempt as it goes wide.

[22 September 2023 17:03 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Samoa go for the posts. Argentina 7 - 0 Samoa 14 mins

It’s a huge tackle from Boffellion Leali’ifano but he comes off of his feet for the ruck and gives away the penalty.

[22 September 2023 17:00 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Paia’aua returns. Argentina 7 - 0 Samoa 11 mins

It’s decided to only be a yellow card from the off-field review and Paia’aua comes back onto the pitch.