Argentina ended a four-month winless streak by edging Italy 19-14 in a Nations Championship rugby match in Genoa on Saturday. The match was marked by repeated turnovers and defensive resilience, with Italy making 174 tackles compared to Argentina’s 86, more than twice their effort.
The first half saw both teams locked at 7-7, neither side able to gain a clear advantage. Argentina controlled possession and territory for much of the game but struggled to convert this dominance into points, often giving the ball away in key moments. It was only in the 55th minute that the Pumas took the lead for the first time, quickly extending it to 19-7.
Argentina’s progress was interrupted by two yellow cards that reduced them to 13 men. Italy capitalised on this numerical advantage with a penalty try, narrowing the gap and raising hopes among the home crowd for a comeback. However, Italy’s own mistakes prevented them from overturning the deficit. In the closing stages, Italy earned a last-minute penalty and opted for a lineout near the corner, but flyhalf Paolo Garbisi’s kick went dead, ending the game.
The result ends Argentina’s drought since their last victory in July. Despite the final scoreline, the match was a frustrating display for both sides, with errors disrupting the flow and keeping the contest tight until the final whistle.
Italy has not beaten Argentina in 18 years, a streak that remains intact after this narrow defeat. The Pumas’ disciplined defence and ability to capitalise on their chances proved decisive, even as they struggled to maintain full strength on the field.
Saturday’s game offered a glimpse of Argentina’s resilience, but also underlined the work both teams face in refining their play in the Nations Championship. The match ended with Argentina holding on to a five-point lead after 80 minutes of stop-start rugby in Genoa.
According to Yahoo Sports.
