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 18:31 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Argentina 16 - 3 Samoa

72mins, five-metre scrum to Samoa now as the ball is grounded by Argentina to diffuse the looming try-scoring threat.

[22 September 2023 18:28 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Argentina 16 - 3 Samoa

69 mins, into the final 11 minutes now and Argentina have a scrum and retain possession after.

[22 September 2023 18:20 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Argentina 16 - 3 Samoa - Samoa strong in defence

64mins, Great defending from Samoa to weather 11 phases of Argentine attack and win the penalty.

[22 September 2023 18:14 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Argentina 16 - 3 Samoa - Big hit on Boffelli

58 mins, Fritz Lee with a big hit to Boffelli’s lower back as the whistle is blown. No foul play but Boffelli looks to be in some pain as he receives some medical treatment, but he remains on the pitch.

[22 September 2023 18:10 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Argentina 16 - 3 Samoa - Missed penalty from Boffelli

56 mins and it’s a rare miss from Boffelli from long range.

[22 September 2023 18:07 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Argentina 16 - 3 Samoa - ARGENTINA PENALTY

52 mins and Boffelli adds to the scoreline of which he’s been the sole provider so far.

[22 September 2023 18:00 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Argentina 13 -3 Samoa - No try for Boffelli

48 mins, no try. A high tackle from Ben Lam around the neck of Boffelli gives Argentina the lineout. The winger then looks to score, but it’s judged to be a double movement and is chalked off.

[22 September 2023 17:56 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Argentina 13 - 3 Samoa - Argentina scrum

46mins, Argentina go for the corner as Theo McFarland is penalised for changing his bind but the maul that follows from the lineout is unplayable after a pick-and-go. Argentina have a scrum five metres out.

[22 September 2023 17:48 · Imogen Ainsworth]

SECOND HALF Argentina 13 - 3 Samoa

Santiago Carreras gets the second half underway!

[22 September 2023 17:46 · Imogen Ainsworth]

First half stats - team

And here are some team stats:

Territory: Argentina 57%, Samoa 43%

Possession: Argentina 63%, Samoa 37%

Metres carried: Argentina 228, Samoa 54

Defenders beaten: Argentina 16, Samoa 2

Rucks won: Argentina 50, Samoa 20

Tackles: Argentina 32, Samoa 82