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:
HALF-TIME! England 16-10 Argentina
A solid enough half for England there. Ben Earl’s early try helped them into a 13-0 lead at one stage but Argentina hit back through Tomas Cubelli’s score and it’s only 16-10 at the break
HALF-TIME! England 16-10 Argentina
This will be the last play of the half. A scrum just outside the 22 on the left touchline.
England go right and Maro Itoje powers them into the 22. Smith tries a chip ahead, comfortably claimed, mark called and Argentina boot the ball into the stands.
That’s oranges, folks.
England 16-10 Argentina, 39 mins
Scrum again solid and England start going through the phases. Smith has a little dart after dummying a drop goal but Boffelli then knocks on as he tries to intercept. Back to the scrum we go.
England 16-10 Argentina, 37 mins
A chance for England before half-time here. A scrum just outside the 22 as Los Pumas knock on in the air
TRY! England 16-10 Argentina (Tomas Cubelli, 36 mins)
Argentina show a bit of ambition with ball in hand down the right and Juan Cruz Mallia produces a lovely offload inside to Boffelli.
Then they make ground down the left as Cinti’s pass (was it forward?) frees Mateo Carreras to burst into the 22.
They move closer to the line and then IT’S A TRY! Scrum half Tomas Cubelli stretches his way over from close range. The Pumas deserved that as reward for their nicest passage of play. Simple conversion for Boffelli and they’re back within a score
England 16-3 Argentina, 33 mins
England again probe the right in the 22 but this time referee Nic Berry gives the penalty Argentina’s way as Steward gets isolated at a ruck
England 16-3 Argentina, 32 mins
England toy with running the ball as Manu Tuilagi rams into a defender down the right. But the subsequent breakdown gets a bit scrappy before England are fortunately awarded the penalty. Probably best to kick possession from hereon...
They boot the penalty up to the 22 and this lineout is more solid from Dan.
PENALTY! England 16-3 Argentina (Owen Farrell, 30 mins)
Easy threesy for England as Farrell bashes through the penalty. He’s got 11 of England’s 16 points so far
England 13-3 Argentina, 29 mins
A better Argentina scrum as they at least get clean ball off it but promptly knock on a couple of phase later anyway as Kremer loses the ball in the tackle.
Lovely stretching pick-up by Joe Marchant when a pass in flung his way before Smith’s probing grubber kick is panickedly hacked away by Los Pumas. Another England penalty in front of the posts anwyay and Kremer again bleeding from his head.
England 13-3 Argentina, 27 mins
Another England grubber with the outside of Farrell’s boot but collected and cleared by Argentina.
Oh dear, more lineout woe for Dan as this time it’s pilfered cleanly by Juan Martin Gonzalez as he’s tossed into the air, with England’s jump (or throw) mistimed. That will concern Steve Borthwick - himself something of a lineout legend during his playing days
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