England cling on after late scare in Santiago del Estero
England ground out a narrow 31-24 victory over Argentina in a tempestuous Nations Championship meeting in Santiago del Estero, riding out a late video review and a flurry of cards to claim a second consecutive win. Winger Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso produced the decisive moment with a solo try on 69 minutes, capping a performance in which he repeatedly punched holes in the Pumas’ defence.
Three days on from the men’s football team’s World Cup semi-final defeat to the same nation, Steve Borthwick’s side stared down their own disciplinary wobble yet again. England finished the night with four yellow cards — to Jack van Poortvliet, Alex Coles, Henry Pollock and Emmanuel Iyogun — at one stage playing nine minutes with only 13 men. Even so, they hustled and scrambled enough to keep Argentina at bay.
Final whistle delayed by TMO call
The result was only confirmed in added time. With the clock deep into overtime, officials examined a possible finish in the right corner from Bautista Delguy. After a prolonged check, television match official Brett Cronan ruled the effort out, with England’s defence — including a critical intervention from Henry Slade — holding firm despite a potential high tackle by Noah Caluori in the build-up.
The match had been ill-tempered from the off. Home supporters, stirred by “La Cuarta Estrella” — the anthem that soundtracked Argentina’s football charge to a World Cup final — had barely settled when a scuffle broke out inside the opening four minutes in the right corner. Crucially, it erupted moments after Tommy Freeman had gathered Fin Smith’s kick to score, handing England an early foothold. There were handling wobbles thereafter, but front-rower Joe Hayes pinched an important turnover and the visitors turned territory into enough points to keep their noses in front.
Feyi‑Waboso the difference
While England’s discipline again veered off course — they have now received 14 yellow cards and one red in their eight matches in 2026 — Feyi‑Waboso’s appetite to roam for work repeatedly stretched the hosts. His cutting line for the match‑clinching try underscored a standout display from the Exeter wing, who was consistently the game’s sharpest attacker.
Argentina, who spent too much of the night distracted by off‑the‑ball niggle, regrouped after the interval and mounted a serious push for an upset. Yet when the match hinged on small moments — a cover tackle here, a scramble clear there — England found just enough control to get out the other side.
England sign off away leg
As the national side signed off their travels in this phase of the competition, the Rugby Football Union struck a businesslike note:
“That’s a wrap on our away leg of the Nations Championship. Read all about tonight’s match.”
For all the turbulence, England leave Argentina with the win they came for and a reminder that, even amid cards and controversy, cutting edge can trump chaos.
At a glance
- Score: Argentina 24–31 England
- Venue: Santiago del Estero
- Match‑winner: Immanuel Feyi‑Waboso (try, 69')
- Cards (England): Van Poortvliet, Coles, Pollock, Iyogun (all yellow)
- Decisive TMO call: Bautista Delguy’s late effort ruled out in added time
Key numbers
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Final score | 31–24 (England) |
| England yellow cards (match) | 4 |
| Time with 13 players | 9 minutes |
| England 2026 cards (all comps) | 14 yellows, 1 red in 8 matches |
For supporters back home, it was not pretty, but it was purposeful. With the away leg complete and momentum intact, England’s task now is clear: tidy the penalty count, keep 15 men on the field more often, and let finishers like Feyi‑Waboso decide matches on skill rather than survival.
