England v Argentina LIVE: Result and reaction from Rugby World Cup 2023 as England win despite red card
England 27-10 Argentina: Tom Curry’s controversial sending off didn’t stop the boot of George Ford inspiring England to victory
England began their Rugby World Cup campaign against Argentina in Marseille in the worst possible way as the returning Tom Curry was sent off within the first three minutes of the game.
Argentina converted the penalty to take the early lead but from their Steve Borthwick’s men put on a masterclass in defensive play and kicking ability. George Ford, starting at fly-half in place of the suspended Owen Farrell, edged England in front with a surprise drop goal and never looked back.
The No. 10 scored all 27 of England’s points electing to kick at every available opportunity of which their were many. Argentina made over 13 handling errors with most inside their own half as England’s defensive capabilities - led superbly by Courtney Lawes - continued to frustrate them.
The only try of the night was scored by the Pumas with a minute or so left on the clock but by then they were miles behind and England had secured their first victory of this World Cup.
Relive the reaction from the Stade Veldrome below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds and the latest tips and odds here.
England 3-3 Argentina, 16 minutes
Santi Carreras waits on the bench for the result of his TMO review which is due in another three minutes time. Freddie Steward boots the ball out of play with a long kick over to the left side of the pitch.
Argentina send the ball back into play and drive forward in a maul before losing possession earning England a scrum.
England 3-3 Argentina, 14 minutes
Discipline has been a real issue under Steve Borthwick since he was brought on as head coach.
England currently have two men banned due to red cards and now Tom Curry has been dismissed just three minutes into their World Cup campaign.
It’s also England first ever red card at the World Cup.
England 3-3 Argentina, 11 minutes
Tom Curry is off!
His yellow card has been upgraded to a red and England lose their open-side flanker permanently. That’s a big blow for Steve Borthwick’s men.
I can’t see Santiago Carreras surviving his TMO review either.
Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade Velodrome
"Clumsy from Santiago Carreras as an incident-packed 10 minutes continues.
“Juan Cruz Mallia got away with a similar challenge on Grant Williams against South Africa during the Rugby Championship, but was later banned for two weeks - fascinating to see how that collision with George Ford is assessed in the TMO bunker."
PENALTY! ENGLAND 3-3 Argentina (George Ford, 10 minutes)
George Ford converts the resultant penalty kick and England are level in the match. The result of Tom Curry’s TMO review is about to be announced as well...
England 0-3 Argentina, 9 minutes
Ouch! The TMO is called back into action after a foul from Santi Carreras. He tries to charge down a kick from George Ford and clatters his opposite number after the ball disappears.
The yellow card threshold is met and he’s booked too. The offence is sent to the TMO bunker to determine whether it needs upgrading.
Both teams are down to 14 men as it stands.
England 0-3 Argentina, 7 minutes
Emiliano Boffelli has another chance to increase Argentina’s lead put pushes the penalty kick wide of the posts this time. England are rocking a bit here.
They need to settle themselves down.
Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade Veldrome
"It is properly loud inside the Velodrome, Argentina fans whistling and hollering as that Tom Curry tackle was shown on the big screen; England fans booing when it was sent upstairs for a look.
“A huge roar as Emiliano Boffelli knocked over the penalty. The fact that Juan Cruz Mallia was falling might just save Tom Curry from a red - but it's a rough start from England regardless."
PENALTY! England 0-3 ARGENTINA, (Emiliano Boffelli, 4 minutes)
A lovely kick from Emiliano Boffelli sees the right-winger curl his penalty kick in between the uprights and gets the Pumas on the board first.
England 0-0 Argentina, 3 minutes
Tom Curry is being sent into the TMO bunker. There’s a bit of doubt about whether Curry committed a red card or a yellow card offence.
He’s shown a yellow card and there’ll be an eight minute review of the incident to determine whether the card needs upgrading to a red.
Meanwhile, Argentina will kick for the opening points.
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