England hold on for dramatic Nations Championship victory over Argentina

England survived a dramatic late onslaught from Argentina to secure a thrilling 31-24 victory in the Nations Championship in Santiago del Estero, with the visitors escaping after a controversial final-play decision denied the hosts a potential match-winning score.

Steve Borthwick’s side looked to be cruising towards a comfortable victory after building a 16-point half-time advantage, but a frantic second half saw England reduced to 13 players twice as Argentina fought back in front of a passionate home crowd.

The decisive moment came in the final action of the match. With England leading 31-24, Argentina winger Bautista Delguy appeared to score in the corner, leaving Justo Piccardo with a difficult conversion attempt that would have levelled the contest.

Referee Angus Gardner initially awarded the try on the field, but after intervention from television match official Brett Cronan, the score was overturned after it was ruled Delguy had stepped into touch before grounding the ball.

Gardner repeatedly indicated there was not enough clear evidence to overturn his original decision, but the try was eventually ruled out, sparking frustration among the Argentina players at full-time. Henry Slade’s covering tackle, alongside Noah Caluori’s defensive effort, proved crucial in denying the hosts.

The victory came just three days after England’s football team suffered a heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina, adding another layer of drama to the occasion.

England’s victory was built on a dominant opening 40 minutes, with Tommy Freeman and Ben Earl twice crossing to give the visitors a commanding lead before half-time.

Freeman opened the scoring after producing a superb finish from Fin Smith’s pinpoint cross-field kick, while Earl’s powerful running and attacking instincts saw him score twice as England punished Argentina’s defence.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was also a constant threat throughout the contest, with the Exeter Chiefs winger repeatedly breaking through the Pumas’ defensive line and causing problems with his pace and power.

Argentina, wearing a replica of the famous navy blue shirt associated with their 1986 World Cup triumph, responded after the break and began to build momentum.

Mateo Carreras crossed for the hosts before England’s discipline began to hurt them. Seven yellow cards were shown during an action-packed encounter, with England receiving four in the second half and twice being reduced to 13 men.

Jack van Poortvliet was sent to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on before Alex Coles joined him after an illegal infringement at the ruck resulted in a penalty try for Argentina.

With England under pressure, Marcus Smith once again stepped into the scrum-half role and delivered a crucial moment when he crossed in the corner while Argentina number eight Joaquin Oviedo was temporarily off the field.

The Pumas were reduced to 14 men again when Oviedo was yellow-carded, before Santiago Carreras followed him to the sin-bin after another infringement during the build-up to Smith’s score.

Feyi-Waboso then produced a moment of individual brilliance to extend England’s advantage, breaking through the Argentina defence and silencing the home crowd.

However, the contest was far from over. England replacements Henry Pollock and Emmanuel Iyogun were both shown yellow cards late on, leaving Borthwick’s side facing a nervous finish.

Argentina took full advantage of the numerical advantage, with Piccardo scoring a late try and Albornoz adding the conversion to set up a tense final few minutes.

The hosts then launched one final attack, with Delguy appearing to have secured a dramatic draw before the intervention from the officials denied Argentina.

The result continues a positive summer for England after a difficult Six Nations campaign, with Borthwick’s position having come under pressure following just one victory in the tournament.

Discipline had been identified as a key area for improvement, although England’s growing yellow card count remains a concern with the side having now received 14 yellow cards and one red card across their past eight matches.

A defeat against world champions South Africa at Ellis Park had been expected, but victories over Fiji and Argentina have provided England with valuable momentum ahead of the Nations Championship fixtures in November.