Second-half magic from Argentina saw the South Americans completing a miraculous and stunning win over Spain at the World Rugby u20 Championship. Played in Rovigo, Italy on Friday, Los Pumas came back from a 30-7 deficit at half-time to defeat Spain 33-30.
Beltrán Ortega opened the scoring. The Spanish fullback finished off a break from fly half Lucien Richardis which also saw winger Pelayo Serrano involved. The conversion was off target though Spain added further points before Argentina scored any. Two penalties made it 11-0 early in the second quarter.
Los Pumitas’ first score would be their only points of the first half. In a sign of what was to come in the second-half, the South Americans charged forward with a rolling-maul. Spain were guilty of collapsing and Argentina came away with a penalty try.
The 11-7 scoreline did not last; instead, Spain scored three rapid-fire tries. This was so despite Argentina playing with 15 players and Spain with 14. Center Oriol Marsinyac García went over from close-range for Spain’s second try of the match.
Argentina’s problems increased with Pedro Coll yellow carded. It was followed by a brilliant try from nothing scored by fly half Luciano Richardis. He picked up a loose lineout throw and kicked over, regathered and scored. Argentina’s fullback, Pascall Senillosa, was guilty of being out of position.
Poor defense also contributed to the next try. Spain’s rampaging performance continued with Oriol Marsinyac García closing through for his second try; Timoteo Silva fell off a tackle. Marsinyac’s second try was converted and Spain were 30-7 up.
A fired-up Argentina came out hungry in the second-half. Coach Nicolás Fernández Miranda replaced the entire front-row and they delivered. Replacement hooker Jerónimo Otaño was particularly impressive. He scored from a fifteen meter rolling-maul.
Argentina were in again four minutes later. The forwards again had the team threatening deep inside Spain’s 22. The Spanish were unable to retreat fast enough which saw Argentina attacking left and Pedro Coll finding his way over.
Los Pumitas had fought back to 30-19. They were now in control of play and their sustained pressure saw Otaño over for a second try. The replacement hooker scored from a five meter lineout to maul move. Senillosa converted from a very unfavorable angle. It was 30-26 with a quarter of the match remaining.
The La Rochelle bound Gael Galván put Argentina in front. He scored following an overthrown defensive Spanish lineout. Santiago Neyra won the ball before the forwards arrived in support. Galván then barged over to underline why the Top 14 club signed him. The try was converted for a 33-30 lead in tone final score of the contest.
The match was the second for both Argentina and Spain at the 2025 World Rugby u20 Championship. Argentina defeated Wales in their opening match while Spain had their moments in defeat against France. Wales also lost to France on Friday.
The remaining fixtures in the pool phase will be played on Wednesday, July 09. Argentina face France and Spain take-on Wales. A win for Los Pumitas will mean they qualify for the Semi Finals. The two other pool see split results with New Zealand and South Africa unbeaten.
As it stands, both Argentina and France are likely to advance as the top second-placed team from the pools will join there three winners in the Semi Finals. Argentina, France, New Zealand and South Africa all have 10 points after two rounds. Ireland have 6 and England have 5.
| MATCH HIGHLIGHTS |
| SCORING |
SPAIN u20 (30)
TRY – B Ortega García (4′), O Marsinyac Garcia 2 (27′, 38′), L Richardis (35′)
CON – N Infer 2 (27′, 39′)
PEN – N Infer 2 (20′, 22′)
YC – M López (24′)
ARGENTINA u20 (33)
TRY – Penalty Try (24′), J Otaño 2 (50′, 59′), P Coll (55′), G Galvan (65′)
CON – No Kick (24′) P Senillosa 3 (56′, 60′, 66′)
YC – P Coll (33′)
| TEAMS |
WALES u20
1 Alberto Gómez, 2 Pau Massoni, 3 Hugo González, 4 Víctor Ofojetu, 5 Liam McNamee, 6 Gael Almorin, 7 Unax Salvador, 8 Marcos López, 9. Nico Infer, 10 Lucien Richardis, 11 Jorge Garreta, 12 Hugo Pichardie, 13 Oriol Marsinyac García, 14 Pelayo Serrano, 15 Beltrán Ortega
Replacements: 16 Marcos López Pérez Adrada, 17 Juan Barcenilla, 18 Guido Reyes, 19 Guardin González Ciscar, 20 Manex Pujana Lendinez, 21 Nicolás Gali, 22 Gonzalo Otamendi, 23 Telmo Fischer Obieta
ARGENTINA u20
1 Juan Ignacio Rodríguez, 2 Tadeo Ledesma Arocena, 3 Tomás Rapetti, 4 Tomás Duclos, 5 Álvaro García Iandolino, 6 Tomás Dande, 7 Santiago Neyra, 8 Agustín García Campos, 9 Félix Corleto, 10 Rafael Benedit, 11 Aquiles Vieyra, 12 Felipe Ledesma (capt.), 13 Pedro Coll, 14 Timoteo Silva, 15 Pascal Senillosa
Replacements: 16 Jerónimo Otaño, 17 Diego Correa, 18 Gael Galván, 19 Valentino Freiria, 20 Pampa Storey, 21 Fabricio Griffo, 22 Ramón Fernández Miranda, 23 Bautista Lescano
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Katsuki Furuse (Japan); Riccardo Bonato (Italy)
TMO: Graham Cooper (Australia)
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