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 23-20 Argentina, 51 mins
Big changes for England. Bevan Rodd and Dan Cole on in the front row, Lewis Ludlam comes on for Tom Curry in the back row and Ben Youngs exits the field for the final time as Danny Care enters the fray at scrum half.
Also a change at No 9 for Argentina as Lautaro Bazan Velez on for first-half try-scorer Tomas Cubelli.
PENALTY! England 23-20 Argentina (Emiliano Boffelli, 50 mins)
A diabolical kick from Henry Arundell goes straight up in the air and although he collects, it’s a penalty to Argentina. It’s just inside the England half, fairly central...
Not problem for Emiliano Boffelli. Banged through the sticks and this is a three-point game.
England 23-17 Argentina, 48 mins
A Mexican wave has started at the Stade de France. After that couple of minutes we just had?! Are you sure...
England 23-17 Argentina, 46 mins
Phew! Try and catch your breath from that frantic start to the second half.
The substitutions now start as Matias Moroni comes on in the centres for his 80th Test cap and back-rower Rodrigo Bruni also enters the fray. Cinti and Isa the men replaced.
TRY! England 23-17 Argentina (Theo Dan , 43 mins)
WOW! That’s how quickly things can turn in rugby. Literally 30 seconds after Argentina take the lead, England score! And the heroes and villains from Los Pumas try are reversed.
Carreras takes too long over a clearance kick in his own 22, a charging Theo Dan blocks it, it bounces up nicely for him to collect and run in under the sticks. Incredible! Easy conversion and England up by six again!
TRY! England 16-17 Argentina (Santiago Carreras, 42 mins)
The crowd have been slow to return to their seats after half-time but those not back have missed a moment of brilliance!
It’s a wonderful try by Santiago Carreras. Questions over whether he’s a good enough game manager to play fly half but there’s no questioning his running ability!
Carreras takes the ball outside the 22 and powers through an arm tackle from Theo Dan and another from Ellis Genge before swerving inside full back Marcus Smith and diving over under the posts. A simple conversion and Argentina lead!
England 16-10 Argentina, 41 mins
An early error from Ben Youngs as his box-kick from outside the 22 goes out on the full. Lineout to Argentina from where it was kicked.
KICK-OFF! England 16-10 Argentina, 40 mins
And we’re back up and running in Paris. Can England hold out here?
HALF-TIME! England 16-10 Argentina
Here’s Ben Earl’s try from the early going of this game - his first ever for England and a very nice finish after great work by Marcus Smith to find the pass.
A perfect example of the attacking flair Smith brings to the full back role for England
HALF-TIME! England 16-10 Argentina
Should Argentina’s try have been ruled out for a forward pass...? At about 55 seconds of the below video, it sure looks like Lucio Cinti’s pass during the build-up is very forward...
Ah well, not called by the TMO, Cubelli’s score stood and Los Pumas are back in this match. It’s a third-place play-off, no one needs tiresome referee discourse here.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments