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

South Africa pulls off great escape to beat England and make Rugby World Cup final

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 v Argentina live

• England narrowly beat Argentina in the Rugby World Cup bronze final
• Tries from Ben Earl and Theo Dan mean England finish third at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and end their tournament on a high
• REPORT: Next generation produce mixed bag as England claim World Cup bronze | Harry Latham-Coyle
• FULL-TIME! England 26-23 Argentina
• 43’ - TRY! England go straight down the other end and score as Dan blocks Carreras’ kick (ENG 23-17 ARG)
• 42’ - TRY! Carreras glides over for wonderful solo score (ENG 16-17 ARG)
• 36’ - TRY! Cubelli stretches over from close range to cut the gap (ENG 16-10 ARG)
• 7’ - TRY! Earl powers over after a great running line (ENG 10-0 ARG)
• Please abolish the third-place play-off: Rugby’s pointless and outdated relic

[27 October 2023 20:29 · Luke Baker]

England 13-3 Argentina, 26 mins

The scrum is performing well but that’s not a great lineout from young England hooker Theo Dan. Guido Petti is thrust into the air and gets a hand to it, although England escape as they’re awarded the free-kick.

A good kick chase and possession regained on the 22

[27 October 2023 20:27 · Luke Baker]

PENALTY! England 13-3 Argentina (Emiliano Boffelli, 24 mins)

Argentina on the board, to the delight of most of this crowd who would like this to remain as a contest. Boffelli slots through the simple kick

[27 October 2023 20:26 · Luke Baker]

England 13-0 Argentina, 23 mins

Argentina are starting to get some joy at the breakdown. Pats on the back for Kremer who atones for his knock-on by getting over the ball at the ruck and earning a jackal penalty.

He emerges from the pile with blood streaming from his head - not the worst look for a tough-man flanker. This time Los Pumas will go for the posts. It’s bang in front so shouldn’t pose Emiliano Boffelli many issues.

[27 October 2023 20:23 · Luke Baker]

England 13-0 Argentina, 21 mins

More good ball for Argentina as they chase a box-kick and Boffelli outleaps Marcus Smith to win the ball on the 22. That’s always the risk of Smith over Freddie Steward at full back.

But then the bad... Marcos Kremer knocks on a simple pass and England have the scrum outside the 22. Again, it’s solid - England looking very assured at that set-piece so far.

[27 October 2023 20:20 · Luke Baker]

England 13-0 Argentina, 18 mins

What a scrum by England! After one reset, they drive the Argentine pack backwards and earn themselves the put-in as Pumas No 8 Facundo Isa knocks on trying to pick up at the back while retreating.

The front row of Ellis Genge, Theo Dan and Will Stuart earning their crust there. That will have laid to rest some semi-final demons.

[27 October 2023 20:19 · Luke Baker]

England 13-0 Argentina, 16 mins

Finally some Argentina pressure. They win a penalty, kick to the corner and the lineout sets them up in the 22. Powerful carries from the front five and when another penalty is coming, Santiago Carreras tries a crossfield kick but it’s too high for Emiliano Boffelli.

The penalty is almost bang under the posts, 10 metres out and they opt for a scrum! A big call

[27 October 2023 20:16 · Luke Baker]

WATCH: Ben Earl gets England off to a flyer

Here’s Ben Earl’s opening try for England. A lovely running line and perfectly-timed pass.

[27 October 2023 20:14 · Luke Baker]

PENALTY! England 13-0 Argentina (Owen Farrell, 13 mins)

Still some whistles and jeers for Farrell as he lines up each kick but again, it’s right through the posts from the ten-metre line on the right of the field. Three from three for England’s skipper.

[27 October 2023 20:13 · Luke Baker]

England 10-0 Argentina, 13 mins

England now disrupt a Pumas lineout on halfway and Earl scampers to dive on the loose ball. A good platform in the Argentine half, strong work at the breakdown and it’s another penalty as Lucio Cinti is off his feet.

Argentina haven’t got out of their own half yet and it’s another golden opportunity for three more points for Farrell

[27 October 2023 20:12 · Luke Baker]

England 10-0 Argentina, 11 mins

England have dominated this game so far - a top performance from Steve Borthwick’s men. Ellis Genge is thumping everything that moves in an Argentina shirt (a very nice navy shirt with a white diagonal sash, I hasten to add). Some frustration at how the semi-final ended for him?