Argentina was able to raise its head. Swept for its entry into the game against England (27-12), the South American nation enforced its law against Samoa. Logical victory, not without difficulties (19-10). Valiant, the men of the Pacific win without bonus.
To discover
- World Cup 2023: Schedule and results
- World Cup 2023: rankings by Pools
A first act hooked
The Argentines, under pressure after their opening defeat against the English, knew they had to win. And the Samoans made things easy for them from the start as full-back Duncan Paia'aua was sent off for 10 minutes for a poorly controlled tackle on Carreas in the first minute of play. The Argentines took the opportunity to open the scoring on a beautiful collective action by Boffelli, author of the only Argentine try of the match. After flattening in the corner on a beautiful action from Argentina's three-quarter line, he took it upon himself to convert the try. The scorers were also an important data on this first half. The Pumas winger made a 2/2 when Leali'ifano missed two penalties in his ropes for Samoa. As a result, at half-time the Argentines were in the lead with ten points (13-3).
A messy second half
Not helped by a pouring rain falling on Geoffroy-Guichard, the actors of this match committed many hand faults. The spectators did not have much to put in their teeth in the second half, except a new penalty from Boffelli (54'). The Argentine striker finished the match with an honorable 3/4 to his credit. But the thrill came at the 75th. After a regular shelling of the Samoan forwards, it was hooker Malolo who scored the second try of the match quickly converted by Leuila. So we vibrated 5 minutes before Nicolas Sanchez, entered during the game, passes a final penalty for the Pumas in the 80th. Argentina won 19-10 and, without convincing, won its first success.
