Japan vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as Pumas book quarter-final place
The winner of today’s Pool D clash will join England in the quarter-finals
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Argentina booked their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with victory over Japan in Nantes.
Mateo Carreras was the star in a captivating, winner-takes-all Pool D encounter, with the dynamite wing scoring a hat-trick to take the Pumas to a thrilling 39-27 win.
Michael Cheika’s men advance to a meeting with Pool C winners Wales next Saturday in Marseille, with their attacking game appearing to be in fine fettle as Argentina eye a deep tournament run.
For Japan, though, the World Cup is over, with defeat at the Stade de la Beaujoire also bringing the curtain down on Jamie Joseph’s time in charge.
The head coach’s seven year stint overseeing the Brave Blossoms had lifted Japanese rugby to new heights, and while this campaign proved a tournament too far for a squad in need of a refresh, Joseph will depart very much in credit.
Japan finish third in Pool D and will therefore qualify automatically for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones among those linked to the vacancy that Joseph leaves.
Relive all the action from the Pool D qualification decider, and get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips right here:
TRY! Japan 20-29 ARGENTINA (Emiliano Boffelli try, 59 minutes)
And Argentina make them pay!
That’s a score of lovely construct, excellent in conception and execution. The Argentina pack earns advantage at scrum time and Gonzalo Bertranou finds Santiago Chocobares on an inviting blindside.
The centre attacks the inside shoulder, driving back towards the scrum and flipping the ball back to a looping Bertranou, who has Juan Cruz Mallia in the sidecar. The full-back has the speed to get away from Dylan Riley, diving in despair, and a simple draw-and-pass gives Emiliano Boffelli a run to the corner. The wing converts his own try.
Japan 20-22 Argentina, 58 minutes
That’s not how Japan would have wanted to deal with the restart, though, knocking on just outside their own 22. Is it starting to get a little bit nervy?
DROP GOAL! JAPAN 20-22 Argentina (Lomano Lemeki drop goal, 56 minutes)
A brilliant drop goal!
Deja vu for Argentina! Japan have an advantage coming and there is little else presenting itself to Lomano Lemeki as the full-back steps in to first receiver, prompting an optimistic effort from 45 metres or so. But Lemeki strikes it crisply - it floats through the Nantes air and comes down about four metres the right side of the crossbar.
Japan 17-2 2Argentina, 54 minutes
Argentina overplay a little as they try and launch an offensive from just inside Japan’s half, with a couple of hurried offloads resulting in Santiago Carreras knocking on as he takes contact. That’s a tenth handling error of the afternoon for the Pumas, compared to only three from Japan - Argentina have had more of the ball but have struggled for accuracy at times.
Japan 17-22 Argentina, 53 minutes
A couple of Japan changes: the imposing Warner Dearns replaces Amato Fakatava, who looks exhausted, while Atsushi Sakate will offer a bit more dynamism at hooker than the veteran Shota Horie.
PENALTY! JAPAN 17-22 Argentina (Rikiya Matsuda penalty, 52 minutes)
Rikiya Matsuda pops over the three points.
Japan 14-22 Argentina, 51 minutes
Argentina are penalised for failing to release. Japan’s leadership group consider their options...and eventually point at goal.
Japan 14-22 Argentina, 49 minutes
Japan kick into Argentina’s 22, and that’s loose from the Pumas, the ball clearly carreid back into the 22 but the punt directed for touch regardless. A fine chance for Japan, this, from a lineout 15 metres out.
Japan 14-22 Argentina, 48 minutes
Japan search for a swift answer, Dylan Riley stepping out a tackle on the left but caught by the bootlaces as he attempts to settle into a sprint.
Pedro Rubiolo is on for Tomas Lavanini, which means the irrepressible Marcos Kremer will go the distance - the mean-mugging flanker pulverizes a Japanese carrier who strays into his channel.
TRY! Japan 14-22 ARGENTINA (Mateo Carreras try, 47 minutes)
A second try for Mateo Carreras!
All it required was pateince for Argentina, dragging Japan out of shape. With a penalty coming, they can afford to try an ambitious offload or two, with a second pass out of contract creating acres of space on the left. Lucio Cinti’s pass isn’t ideal, but Mateo Carreras clutches it cleanly at shin-height, and scurries the seven metres or so in front of him in short order.
Emiliano Boffelli knocks over the extra two.
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