England achieved their eleventh consecutive victory, although they had to give their utmost to defeat Argentina with a score of 27-23 at the Allianz Stadium. The match kept the fans on the edge of their seats until the last moment.
The possibility of an autumn sweep, the first since 2021, hung by a thread, as the public remembered the impressive comeback of the Pumas against Scotland a week earlier. England, who built a 17-0 lead in the first 25 minutes, saw this vanish, but Steve Borthwick’s team found a way to secure the victory.
Henry Slade scored a crucial try in the 65th minute, thanks to the outstanding performance of Max Ojomoh, who was named man of the match. Ojomoh, with only two international matches, also assisted in another try for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and scored one himself.For a large part of the match, the game was played in the air. England dominated in the first half thanks to the precise kicks of Ben Spencer and George Ford, but the situation changed after the break. Freddie Steward shone, and Maro Itoje offered a colossal performance. Despite a 27-16 lead, the home side could not relax, as Rodrigo Isgro’s try in the 80th minute set up a heart-stopping finish.
Argentina, just 10 meters from the try line, lost a line-out, and Ben Earl recovered the ball, saving his team from defeat. The drama intensified with a drop-goal from George Ford and a try from Ojomoh, which, after a challenge from Feyi-Waboso, propelled England to a 10-0 lead in the first 10 minutes.
The English defense held off the Pumas’ attack, and a penalty by Santiago Carreras was stopped by Itoje. England’s scrum dominated, and Ford shifted the play towards Ojomoh, whose pass found Feyi-Waboso for an elegant try.
Spencer’s tackle stopped an Argentinian attack, but the visitors showed their ability to create opportunities. Fly-half Tomas Albornoz scored a long-range penalty, and the score could have been higher for England if Luke Cowan-Dickie had managed to ground the ball correctly after a line-out.
That mistake proved costly, as Argentina scored in the first five minutes of the second half, taking advantage of the home defense. Justo Piccardo scored an easy try.
England conceded ground, and the Pumas took the lead, consolidated with another penalty by Albornoz. Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Will Stuart, and Fin Baxter came on as substitutes in search of a comeback, but Steward caught the eye with two aerial receptions. England’s penalties against increased, but in the 66th minute, Ojomoh ran and passed for Slade to score.
Ford’s penalty seemed to secure the victory, but Isgro prepared an exciting finish that Argentina couldn’t capitalize on.
