Japan vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as Pumas book quarter-final place
The winner of today’s Pool D clash will join England in the quarter-finals
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Argentina booked their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with victory over Japan in Nantes.
Mateo Carreras was the star in a captivating, winner-takes-all Pool D encounter, with the dynamite wing scoring a hat-trick to take the Pumas to a thrilling 39-27 win.
Michael Cheika’s men advance to a meeting with Pool C winners Wales next Saturday in Marseille, with their attacking game appearing to be in fine fettle as Argentina eye a deep tournament run.
For Japan, though, the World Cup is over, with defeat at the Stade de la Beaujoire also bringing the curtain down on Jamie Joseph’s time in charge.
The head coach’s seven year stint overseeing the Brave Blossoms had lifted Japanese rugby to new heights, and while this campaign proved a tournament too far for a squad in need of a refresh, Joseph will depart very much in credit.
Japan finish third in Pool D and will therefore qualify automatically for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones among those linked to the vacancy that Joseph leaves.
Relive all the action from the Pool D qualification decider, and get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips right here:
Japan 14-15 Argentina, 46 minutes
Into the 22 now, with Gonzalo Bertranou keeping things ticking. Messrs Carreras each attack the line, before new man Eduardo Bello uses his burl to crash for a couple more metres. Advantage coming...and Argentina won’t need it!
Japan 14-15 Argentina, 45 minutes
What a maul from Argentina! Their eight forwards make all of 25 metres on the march up the left, and a Mateo Carreras half-break off the back of it takes the Pumas to the fringes of Japan’s 22.
Japan 14-15 Argentina, 44 minutes
Gomez Kodela is replaced, with Eduardo Bello on. Japan switch their tighthead, too - Jiwon Gu departs with Asaeli Ai Valu replacing him.
Santiago Carreras also goes down for some treatment, but the Argentina fly half is back on his feet soon enough and finds touch with the penalty.
Japan 14-15 Argentina, 43 minutes
Here come Japan! Francisco Gomez Kodela is left down receiving treatment as his teammates battle to cling on, Amato Fakatava stomping over a couple on a commanding carry.
Japan spin it to the left, where there are numbers over, but Emiliano Boffelli makes an intelligent decision to rush out of the line and get his hands on a pass.
He doesn’t quite manage to inercept but Japan are stalled, and Julian Montoya’s expert breakdown jackal wins a penalty.
Japan 14-15 Argentina, 41 minutes
The first aerial contest ends with the ball bouncing into Juan Martin Gonzalez’s bread basket, and the number eight accelerates away up the right touchline. Some excellent cover defence from Japan prevents him capitalising further, speedy Gonzalez reeled in and stripped of the ball as his teammates arrive in support.
Second half...
The players are back out there. 40 minutes to decide Japan and Argentina’s fate.
HT: Japan 14-15 Argentina
This was pretty nifty from Naoto Saito, too.
HT: Japan 14-15 Argentina
Want one more look at that piece of supreme skill from Amato Fakatava? Course you do.
HT: Japan 14-15 Argentina
It’s beautifully poised at the interval in Nantes, with both sides casting caution to the wind even in a winner-takes-all quarter-final decider. Both Argentina and Japan have shown off their varied attacking games, with four beautifully taken tries.
Just a point in it as the players chew on their half time oranges.
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