England's rugby players avenged their recent World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina with a chaotic 31-24 victory in the Nations Championship at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero.
Key facts
England's victory marks their sixth straight win on Argentinian soil.
Seven yellow cards were issued during the match: four to England and three to Argentina.
Justo Piccardo scored for Argentina in the 80th minute, reducing the deficit to seven points.
A controversial last-minute try by Bautista Delguy was disallowed after TMO intervention.
Why it matters: This match provided England with a much-needed victory following a string of poor performances and was a form of redemption after their football team's heart-wrenching loss to Argentina just days earlier.
The win boosts England's confidence after a tumultuous season, marked by a five-game losing streak before their recent 73-8 rout of Fiji.
It highlights England's resilience in overcoming adversity, particularly as they played with reduced numbers in the second half.
Driving the news: The match kicked off in a charged atmosphere, with Argentina's players donning replica shirts inspired by Diego Maradona's iconic 1986 World Cup kit, stirring emotions among fans and players alike.
England quickly took control, scoring three tries in the first half, including an early score from Tommy Freeman and two from Ben Earl.
By halftime, England led 19-3, capitalizing on Argentina's slow start and ill-discipline.
State of play: The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Argentina rallied back, reducing England's lead significantly.
Mateo Carreras scored early in the second half, followed by a penalty try awarded after England lost two players to yellow cards, bringing the score to 19-10.
England's Marcus Smith and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso responded with tries, extending the lead to 31-17 before Argentina's late surge.
The big picture: England's victory is a positive sign for coach Steve Borthwick, who faced mounting pressure after a disappointing Six Nations campaign.
This win improves England's standing in the Nations Championship, placing them third in the Northern Hemisphere table.
The match underscored the importance of discipline, as both teams struggled with penalties, accumulating a total of seven yellow cards.
What they're saying: Post-match comments highlighted the intensity and drama of the encounter.
Player of the match Immanuel Feyi-Waboso remarked, "A tough fought match, right until the end. For it to finish like that was very dramatic. Our discipline makes it very hard to win," emphasizing the need for improved discipline.
Coach Steve Borthwick praised his team's spirit, stating, "I’m delighted for the players, they showed incredible spirit," in light of the challenging circumstances they faced.
By the numbers: The match statistics reveal a fierce contest.
England scored five tries compared to Argentina's three, with both teams struggling with discipline throughout the match.
England received four yellow cards in the second half alone, raising their total to 14 in their last 10 Tests.
Argentina's Justo Piccardo scored in the 80th minute, but Bautista Delguy's disallowed try overshadowed the moment.
Between the lines: The match showcased the fierce rivalry between England and Argentina, heightened by the recent football semi-final.
The emotional backdrop of the football match added tension, with both teams eager to assert their dominance in this rugby clash.
Fans displayed banners and wore jerseys that referenced historical events, adding to the charged atmosphere.
What's next: Looking ahead, both teams will need to address their disciplinary issues.
England will focus on refining their strategy and improving discipline ahead of their next matches in the Nations Championship.
Argentina, meanwhile, will seek to build on their performance, particularly their second-half rally, as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
As the dust settles on this dramatic encounter, both teams have much to ponder as they look to improve and capitalize on the lessons learned from this thrilling match.