England v Argentina LIVE: Result and reaction as England win Rugby World Cup 2023 third place play-off
England 26-23 Argentina: Tries from Ben Earl and Theo Dan help England finish third at the Rugby World Cup
England held off a spirited Argentina 26-23 at the Stade de France to take third place at the Rugby World Cup for a measure of consolation after the disappointment of their narrow semi-final defeat last week.
The boot of Owen Farrell proved the difference as both sides scored two tries apiece but the England captain was unerringly accurate as he put over four penalties and two conversions, for a tally of 16 points, to ensure his team edged a largely pointless exercise.
England looked to put behind them the disappointment of their 16-15 loss to South Africa in last Saturday’s semi in Paris as they raced into a 13-point lead and were 16-10 ahead at half-time but they allowed Argentina to close the gap to three points in an error-strewn second half.
It was the first time England had taken the bronze medal at the World Cup after winning the 2003 tournament and finishing runners-up on three other occasions.
Relive all the action from the bronze final below plus get all the latest odds and tips from the Rugby World Cup here:
England 26-23 Argentina, 79 mins
Scrum goes down as we tick past 79 minutes. Another reset. This scrum is about ten metres inside England’s half, towards the left side by the way. England’s put-in as we go again.
Can they hang on?
England 26-23 Argentina, 79 mins
Ford was quite upright in that tackle on Carreras and the crowd jeer at the replays, baying for a yellow card but it was Carreras’s shoulder to Ford’s chest. All fine.
England 26-23 Argentina, 78 mins
Mateo Carreras is a bowling ball! Huge space down the right and Los Pumas make 50 metres. The speedy Carreras skips round the outside eats up ground and charges into the defending Ford on the 22. You could hear that collision!
It’s scrappy from there though. The ball going backwards, hitting the ground, going loose and England get the turnover! Play stopped for an Argentine to get treatment but it will be England’s scrum put-in.
England 26-23 Argentina, 78 mins
Second time lucky as Care feeds the ball in, the English pack just about hold firm and Ford boots the ball into the Argentina 22. They might have to play it from here.
England 26-23 Argentina, 78 mins
The first attempt at the scrum goes down, so we’ve got a reset. 150 seconds to go before the clock turns red.
England 26-23 Argentina, 77 mins
Argentina going through the phases but back near halfway. England won’t mind that.
They make decent ground by going wide right but it’s good cover defence by England on Juan Martin Gonzalez and the ball then squirts out, eventually going forward off a Pumas hand. Although the replays suggest that might have been a foot, not a hand... England may have got the rub of the green there.
MISSED PENALTY! England 26-23 Argentina (Nicolas Sanchez, 75 mins)
WOW! Sanchez MISSES the penalty. Wide of the left upright. Not easy but you’d expect him to get it. That could be huge as we enter the final five minutes, Los Pumas still down by three.
England 26-23 Argentina, 74 mins
Great move off the scrum by Los Pumas, switching the direction of play to the left. Sanchez makes metres and Mateo Carreras then makes more as he sends Smith FLYING backwards. Big carry!
Argentina now have the penalty as well. An interesting decision here. Wide on the left, just on the 22. Looks like Sanchez will go for the posts. Big kick upcoming
England 26-23 Argentina, 73 mins
Argentina burst into the 22 down the right side after a rock-solid scrum. But again, it’s scrappy in open play. Lawrence charges out of the defensive line and disrupts the pass, although the ball does go forward as he levels Sanchez. Bit unfortunate.
Another Argentina scrum, seven minutes to go.
Ooof - blood streaming from the head of Sam Underhill after taking a knee to the ear from Rodrigo Bruni so we’ll have a stoppage while he gets tidied up. Spice Girls played over the tannoy to keep the crowd entertained (Wannabe if you’re wondering) so at least there’s that.
England 26-23 Argentina, 72 mins
A kicking battle ends with Ford calling a mark in his own 22 and he boots clear to halfway. Argentina secure the lineout and try to get the maul going - they actually do a pretty decent job and march forward about 10 metres but Ludlam is quick on the draw to snare Bazan Velez as he retrieves the ball and tries to make a pass.
A free-kick to Los Pumas though, so they will still have the scrum. Great smart play by Ludlam though.
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