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, 70 mins
A Care dart down the blindside off a lineout maul takes England towards the 22 but two phases later they knock on in the tackle.
So frustrating. Ford feeds Lawrence and the ball is dislodged as he takes the hit.
Ah, final England sub - David Ribbans on for Ollie Chessum in the second row.
PENALTY! England 26-23 Argentina (Nicolas Sanchez, 68 mins)
Argentina do good work off the lineout, run some phases and eventually earn a penalty on the 22. Nicolas Sanchez has taken over kicking duties from Boffelli and he makes no mistake.
Three-point game, 12 minutes to go.
England 26-20 Argentina, 66 mins
Ollie Lawrence comes on for Henry Arundell, I’d assume Joe Marchant will go to the wing and Lawrence will slot in at 13. Not Arundell’s night it’s fair to say - a precocious talent but very few touches of the ball plus a missed tackle and some questionable kicks.
Joel Sclavi and Matias Alemanno also come on for Argentina. That’s the benches more or less emptied now.
PENALTY! England 26-20 Argentina (Owen Farrell, 64 mins)
England turnover the scrum, get one of their own and then win a penalty there. Just outside the 22, very central - Farrell will go for the posts.
Indeed he does, no bother and that’s over for a 26-20 advantage.
England 23-20 Argentina, 62 mins
England’s phase play hasn’t looked like breaking through the Argentine wall today. That will be a work-on for Borthwick and co ahead of the Six Nations.
The latest attack comes to an end when Ford tries to overplay, or perhaps Ludlam overruns the ball but either way it deflects off the back-rower’s arm and bounces forward. I think Rodd was the intended recipient of the pass
England 23-20 Argentina, 59 mins
England still testing Argentina with high bombs but they’re largely standing up to it.
A nice grubber through from Smith though forces Cruz Mallia to field it and give away the lineout in his own 22.
Prop Eduardo Bello on for Francisco Gomez Kodela for Los Pumas.
England 23-20 Argentina, 57 mins
Another couple of changes. George Ford is on for Manu Tuilagi so it looks like the much maligned Ford-Farrell double pivot at 10 and 12 will get another runout...
Experience for experience at hooker for Argentina as Agustin Creevy is on for Julian Montoya, while Nicolas Sanchez will see the game out at fly half as Santiago Carreras is replaced.
WATCH: Frantic start to the second half
Here are the two tries in as many minutes at the start of this second half.
England 23-20 Argentina, 55 mins
Jamie George on at hooker for Theo Dan and straight into a lineout situation, which he completes solidly. A lovely Care box-kick then reclaimed by England but Bruni gets over the ball at the breakdown and wins the turnover.
Frustrating for the men in white. Although they get away with it as Carreras misses touch with the kick...
England 23-20 Argentina, 53 mins
Lovely hands from Argentina. Boffelli glides through a gap between defenders and feeds Cruz Mallia down the wing but Freddie Steward doesn’t over-commit and makes a fine tackle on the full back.
Los Pumas still set up in England’s 22 though. They’re running through the phases but after 17 of them, England’s defence gets the call at the breakdown. Cole and Itoje in on the tackle and Earl gets his hands on the ball for the turnover.
That defensive set will please Kevin Sinfield.
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