Argentina 24 - 22 England
Saturday June 13 (4pm local, 8pm UK)

Matt Banahan's late try failed to prevent England from succumbing to a Juan Martin Hernandez-inspired Argentina at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, finishing the match 24-22 to the home side.

The win for Argentina came just a week after the Pumas slumped to a 37-15 defeat to Martin Johnson's team, who were missing several top players on duty with the British and Irish Lions, in Manchester.

England appeared to be heading for a heavy defeat when they entered half-time 14-3 behind, but they ate into the Pumas' lead after the interval.

Andy Goode, who amassed a 17-point haul, slotted four penalties and a conversion of Banahan's expertly-taken 79th minute try only for Argentina to survive a tense climax.

Opposite Goode, Hernandez produced a masterclass, mixing up attacking kicks with some clever off-loading and incisive running.

The imperious Stade Francais fly-half kicked three penalties, a conversion and drop goal to keep Argentina in control for most of the match with Juan Manuel Leguizamon and Gonzalo Camacho running in tries.

England often failed to match the Pumas' intensity at the breakdown and tackle area but showed real spirit to reel in their opponents when at one point they seemed to be chasing a lost cause.

They endured a miserable start at the line-out with Dylan Hartley wayward on two throws - the second of which was punished with a Pumas try after just two minutes. The scoreboard ticked over for Argentina in the remainder of the first fourty minutes as Hernandez punished England indiscipline, however there was a consolation penalty shot that Goode struck before a similar opportunity was missed just before the interval. The second half was just three minutes old when Argentina ran in their second try, courtesy of a missed tackle by Goode.

Agulla came charging into the line, swatted aside Goode and sent out a superb long pass to winger Gonzalo Camacho who dashed home unopposed.
The Pumas took their foot off the pedal in the final quarter amid turnovers from both sides.

Goode booted his fifth penalty to take England within a converted try of victory but with impeccable timing Hernandez booted a drop goal.

England were not finished, however, as they produced a fine move to set up a grand stand finish with four minutes to go.

Delon Armitage, who had been solid all match, broke free down the left wing and slipped a superb pass to Banahan who bounced off Francisco Leonelli to cross under the posts.

Goode converted but England could not get their hands on the ball again and Argentina held out for victory.

Martin Johnson, England Team Manager, said: “The first Argentina try hurt us but the second one at the start of the second half killed us. It made it very difficult for us to come back from 21-3 down but the guys did really well to pull it back to 24-22. We made a lot of errors in the first half and Argentina controlled the ball better. We should have made the Pumas work much harder for their tries but they deserved to win and Hernandez kicked well. Today’s was the last Test match of a tough year but I think we have learned a lot as a group."

Argentina: H Agulla; F Leonelli, G Tiesi, S Fernandez, G Camacho; JM Hernandez, A Lalanne; R Roncero, M Ledesma, M Ayerza, R Alvarez, P Albacete, G Fessia, JM Leguizamon, J Fernandez Lobbe (capt). Replacements: AV Basualdo, JP Orlandi, M Carizza, E Lozada, N Vergallo, M Avramovic, LG Amorosino.

Tries: Leguizamon, Camacho; Con: Hernandez; Pens: Hernandez 3. Drop Goal: Hernandez.

England: D Armitage; M Cueto, D Hipkiss, T May, M Banahan; A Goode, D Care; T Payne, D Hartley, J White, S Borthwick (capt), L Deacon, C Robshaw, S Armitage, N Easter. Replacements: G Chuter, D Wilson, B Kay, J Haskell, P Hodgson, S Vesty, M Tait.

Try: Banahan; Con: Goode; Pens: Goode 5.

Referee: A Lewis (Ireland).