Ford Inspires England to Thrilling Victory in Argentina
Clinical England produced a dominant second-half performance to defeat Argentina 35-12 in the first Test at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi in La Plata. After a tightly contested first half where England led 3-0, the visitors exploded into life after the break, scoring four tries in quick succession to seal a convincing victory.
First Half Tension
The opening 40 minutes were marked by intense defensive battles and moments of individual brilliance from England fly-half George Ford. At one point, England were reduced to 13 men with Alex Coles and Seb Atkinson both in the sin-bin, but they held firm against relentless Argentine pressure. Ford, playing his 100th cap for England, provided the only points of the half with a clutch drop goal while his team was under significant pressure.
Argentina came out firing in the second half, with Pablo Matera and Pedro Rubiolo each crossing for tries to cut into England’s lead. However, England’s composure and defensive discipline ensured the Pumas couldn’t close the gap entirely.
Second-Half Surge
England took control after halftime, launching a series of devastating attacks. Tom Roebuck of Sale scored twice in quick succession, while Leicester’s Freddie Steward added another try between the posts. Although Ford missed one conversion from the sideline, his overall kicking accuracy and tactical awareness were instrumental in maintaining England’s momentum.
Ford’s leadership shone brightest when he calmly slotted two long-range penalties in the second half, effectively sealing the game for England. His contributions extended beyond the boot, as he played a pivotal role in setting up all three tries. His partnership with co-captain Jamie George was particularly effective in organizing the defense and guiding the team through crucial moments.
Cadan Murley, coming off the bench, capped off England’s scoring with a well-timed try five minutes from full-time, ensuring a comfortable margin by the final whistle.
Argentina’s Struggles
Despite showing glimpses of their potential, Argentina struggled to maintain consistency throughout the match. Their early dominance in the first half didn’t translate into points, largely due to missed opportunities by fly-half Santiago Carreras, who failed to convert after Matera’s try. The Pumas’ inability to capitalize on England’s temporary numerical disadvantage proved costly.
Matera’s appearance in this match earned him his 109th cap, tying the record for most appearances for Argentina. Meanwhile, Pedro Rubiolo’s counter-attacking try briefly reignited hopes for the home side, showcasing the same form that helped Argentina defeat New Zealand and South Africa over the past year.
However, Argentina’s inconsistent execution and England’s clinical finishing left them with plenty of questions heading into next week’s second Test in San Juan.
Ford Shines Again Against Argentina
George Ford has become a thorn in Argentina’s side in recent years. In the 2023 Rugby World Cup, he kicked all 27 points for England in a group-stage win, and later contributed significantly to England’s bronze medal victory over Argentina. Despite being overlooked by the British and Irish Lions this summer and losing his starting spot temporarily to Marcus Smith, Ford seized the moment to remind everyone of his importance to the team.
His composure under pressure, especially during England’s 13-man phase in the first half, was nothing short of heroic. He orchestrated England’s attack with precision in the second half and delivered clutch kicks when it mattered most.
“Argentina are always tough opponents, so this is a great win for us,” Ford said after the match. “We know they’ll come back stronger next week, so we have to be ready.”
Looking Ahead
England will aim to build on this result in the second Test, hoping to extend their winning streak against a team that currently sits one place above them in the world rankings. For Argentina, the focus will be on regaining cohesion and consistency, especially in high-pressure situations.
With such a competitive fixture on the horizon, both teams will need to fine-tune their strategies and sharpen their execution if they hope to emerge victorious in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
