England cling on in fiery contest
England narrowly beat Argentina 31–24 in a storm-laden clash in Santiago del Estero, surviving a prolonged stoppage-time review before the visitors could finally exhale. Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso supplied the decisive moment with a solo finish in the 69th minute, the standout strike on a night where discipline again threatened to undo Steve Borthwick’s side.
The closing passage captured the evening’s knife-edge mood. Three minutes into time added on, officials poured over a potential score in the right corner for Bautista Delguy. After consultation, television match official Brett Cronan ruled no try, despite a check for a possible high tackle by Noah Caluori in the build-up. A last-ditch challenge from Henry Slade proved critical in snuffing out the threat and preserving the result.
Ill-discipline, big moments and the away-day wrap
England’s tendency to invite trouble resurfaced. Yellow cards to Jack van Poortvliet, Alex Coles, Henry Pollock and Emmanuel Iyogun left the tourists down to 13 men for a total of nine minutes. Yet, amid the numerical scrambles, they found enough resilience to secure a second straight victory on their travels in the Nations Championship.
The union’s account set the tone at full-time with a brisk dispatch:
“That’s a wrap on our away leg of the Nations Championship. Read all about tonight’s match 👇” — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby), 18 July 2026
This latest outing further underlines England’s disciplinary tightrope in 2026, with 14 yellow cards and one red shown across eight fixtures this year. Even so, when it mattered most, their match-winners delivered: Feyi-Waboso hunted work across the line and repeatedly punctured the Pumas’ defence, while the pack dug in under pressure.
Fierce opening, partisan backdrop
A partisan crowd, stirred by La Cuarta Estrella – the football anthem that framed Argentina’s recent World Cup run – ensured a crackling atmosphere well before kick-off. Tempers frayed early; within four minutes a melee broke out in the right corner. It came moments after Tommy Freeman latched on to a kick from Fin Smith to cross, capping an encouraging start that mixed sharp finishing with determined cover defence.
As play settled, England found punch on the edges through Feyi-Waboso and a foothold at the breakdown, highlighted by a key turnover from the impressive Joe Hayes. Argentina, initially more drawn to off-the-ball spats than shape and tempo, sharpened up after the interval and mounted a sustained challenge that kept the contest uncertain to the end.
Key incidents at a glance
- Winning margin: England 31–24 Argentina, sealed by Feyi-Waboso’s solo try on 69 minutes.
- Late drama: TMO Brett Cronan ruled out a potential Bautista Delguy try in overtime; a possible high tackle by Noah Caluori was checked in the lead-up.
- Discipline: Four England yellow cards; nine minutes played with 13 men. England now total 14 yellows and one red in 2026.
Discipline under the microscope
England’s capacity to both self-sabotage and then scramble a solution remains the thread of their year. The latest bout of cards forced repeated reshuffles and long defensive passages with fewer bodies. Yet, game management at the death – and a crucial cover tackle from Slade – held the line when Argentina sensed an upset.
For supporters across Oldham and beyond, the victory lands in the same week English football suffered a late twist of its own against Argentina. This time, the closing act went the other way. The takeaway is mixed: palpable attacking thrust and match-winning class out wide, set against the need to rein in errors that continue to stack up on the referee’s ledger.
Who saw yellow
| Player | Sanction |
|---|---|
| Jack van Poortvliet | Yellow card |
| Alex Coles | Yellow card |
| Henry Pollock | Yellow card |
| Emmanuel Iyogun | Yellow card |
There was, nevertheless, a clear difference-maker: Feyi-Waboso’s relentless appetite to get his hands on the ball and stretch the blue line. On a night that frequently threatened to unravel, that cutting edge told.
