England edge Argentina 31-24 in chaotic Nations Championship finale in Santiago
England secured a tense 31-24 Nations Championship victory over Argentina in Santiago del Estero, overcoming severe disciplinary issues and a late video review to claim their second win of the inaugural tournament.
England defeated Argentina 31-24 in Santiago del Estero on Saturday. They survived a fierce second-half fightback and a dramatic final-minute video review to secure their second victory in the inaugural Nations Championship.
The match was marked by intense hostility and poor discipline. Argentina’s players wore replica 1986 World Cup shirts and fans displayed Falklands-themed banners, setting a combative tone that resulted in four yellow cards for the English side.
Despite the ill-discipline, England established a commanding 16-point lead by half-time. Tommy Freeman scored early from a Fin Smith cross-field kick, followed by a Ben Earl double and a solo finish from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Argentina responded forcefully after the break. A try from Mateo Carreras and a penalty try, awarded after Alex Coles was sin-binned alongside Jack van Poortvliet, rapidly slashed the deficit to just two points.
England appeared to have sealed the contest when Marcus Smith scored in the corner and Feyi-Waboso added another brilliant individual try. However, subsequent yellow cards for Henry Pollock and debutant Emmanuel Iyogun left the visitors defending with only 13 men.
The chaotic finale saw Justo Piccardo score for Argentina in the 80th minute. When Bautista Delguy crossed the line four minutes into stoppage time, it appeared to secure a draw, only for the television match official to rule the winger in touch.
The victory offers a measure of consolation for England following recent sporting setbacks, marking their sixth consecutive win on Argentinian soil. However, the result came at a physical cost, with centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg forced off with an injury.
Feyi-Waboso, named player of the match, acknowledged the team’s struggles. "Discipline wasn't great from us, but we managed to see out the victory in the end," he said, noting that such lapses make winning unnecessarily difficult.
The result leaves England third in the Northern Hemisphere table. Their inaugural Nations Championship campaign has yielded mixed results, following a heavy defeat to South Africa and a dominant win over Fiji.
