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 16:58 · Imogen Ainsworth]

TRY! Argentina 7 - 0 Samoa 8 mins

Argentina are set up well from the set piece and with a reaching left arm Emiliano Boffelli gets the first try after stumbling towards the line. He converts his own score despite the rain.

[22 September 2023 16:56 · Imogen Ainsworth]

SCRUM Argentina 0 -0 Samoa 6 mins

The free kick from the scrum isn’t taken from the mark and Samoa concede a penalty, Argentina’s scrum now.

[22 September 2023 16:53 · Imogen Ainsworth]

KNOCK ON Argentina 0 - 0 Samoa 3 mins

A knock on from Matías Moroni in the slippery conditions and Samoa have the first scrum of the match.

[22 September 2023 16:50 · Imogen Ainsworth]

YELLOW CARD Argentina 0 -0 Samoa 35 seconds

It’s an incredibly early yellow card for Duncan Paia’aua after pushing a player in the back and playing fly-half Santiago Carreras in the air. Samoa are down to 14 players after only 35 seconds, and the card has gone for off-field review.

[22 September 2023 16:48 · Imogen Ainsworth]

KICK OFF Argentina 0 - 0 Samoa

Samoa start with their traditional Siva Tau before their fly half Christian Leali’ifano gets the match started in the rain.

This is a huge match for Argentina, they must win if they hope to make it to the quarter-finals.

[22 September 2023 16:39 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Anthems!

First we’ll have the anthems Stade Geoffroy-Guichard before the match kicks off, starting with Argentina, then Samoa.

[22 September 2023 16:35 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Ten minutes to go!

Ten minutes now until kick-off now between Argentina and Samoa at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne!

[22 September 2023 16:30 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Schwalger: ‘We know exactly what we expect'

Samoa assistant coach Mahonri Schwalger spoke of the importance of getting a win. He said: “World (Cup) rugby is all about winning. We’re focused on getting that ‘W’ tomorrow, we will do anything we can do to make sure we get that.

“We embrace the game tomorrow, we know exactly what we expect. As Samoans we love the physicality, so we are looking forward to it and I know there’s going to be some sore bodies tomorrow. We are just going to throw everything into it. It’s (physicality) in our DNA, the way we play.

“It’s going to be tough tomorrow, especially the Argentina supporters will be here tomorrow. Our people back home will be glued to the TV and I know our boys will put on a good performance and make them proud.”

“It’s just we can cope with pressure, especially in these big games we’ve got in the next couple of weeks.

“The last couple of days we have been talking about how we can transition from attack and defence and try and apply pressure against Argentina.”

[22 September 2023 16:20 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Chocobares: ‘If we give their players space, it will be a long afternoon'

Centre Santiago Chocobares spoke of the threat that Samoa pose when given space. He said: “If we give their players space, it will be a long afternoon. Their centres are very strong and when they have the ball in their hands, they put their team on the front foot. Our challenge is to have a good defence and generate attacking opportunities.”

“We couldn’t have prepared better for this game. It was a nice week of training, so we will be ready. Regarding the Samoans centres, I have played against them in the Top 14 so I know they are good players, physically and technically.”

“It is my first Rugby World Cup, for me everything is new: every game, every moment, every preparation we are doing. I’m living it like this, as if it were my first and last World Cup. This pressure that has been talked about and the importance of the game tomorrow, we have to put it aside and enjoy these moments before a big game.”

[22 September 2023 16:10 · Imogen Ainsworth]

Contepomi: ‘The way we selected the bench was strategic'

Before the match, Argentina assistant coach Felipe Contepomi spoke of the team’s wealth of experience on the bench, in particular Tomás Cubelli and Nicolás Sánchez. He said: “The way we selected the bench was strategic as in the previous game. We almost always go with three backs, although perhaps the difference was in the last game (only two). Changing this is pure strategy according to what we want to do in certain circumstances of the game.

“Obviously having such experienced players on the bench or on the field is very good. Cubelli, Sánchez and Creevy have a lot of experience and could be very beneficial if they have to come on at some point in the game.”