England won bronze in the 2023 World Cup this Friday against a brave Argentina thanks to a great initial push, the success of Owen Farrell's foot and an error by Nicolás Sánchez who missed a penalty shot that would have forced extra time with five to go. minutes.
This generation of Pumas did not manage to leave Paris with the bronze around their necks, as did the one in 2007, which painted the roof of Albiceleste rugby in that color and on the third time they played the consolation final they left without a prize as in 2015 against South Africa.
Argentina clashed again against England, the same rival that defeated them in their debut in this World Cup, a team that they have not been able to defeat in any of the six duels in this top international oval ball competition.
It is the first bronze for the XV de la Rosa, which was chasing it for the second time and will thus ensure that Europe is sitting on the final podium, the first step of which will be contested this Saturday by New Zealand and South Africa.
The English thus add their fifth medal, after the gold in 2003 and the silver in 1991, 2007 and the one they won in Japan four years ago after losing in the final against the Springboks.
This time, driven by a like-minded crowd, Argentina came close to winning, they had it closer at hand than in the opening duel played in Marseille 50 days ago, but it escaped them by a sigh.
The Pumas recovered well from a calamitous start, they managed to bring doubt to the opposing field and, for moments, make their fans dream of victory.
There were few, the four that separated the try achieved by Carreras that allowed Argentina to take the lead on the scoreboard, with the mistake of the Gloucester native from Cordoba that returned the advantage to the English.
Then, Nicolás Sánchez had a penalty shot from 36 meters, very heeled, with five minutes remaining and to tie the match, but his shot was slightly deflected.
The duel allows us to think that there are Pumas for the future, that their competitive gene can make them approach the next events with confidence, but also that there is room for improvement.
The rushing start of the XV de la Rosa frightened the Pumas, trapped in their field against the English offensive that found several flaws in the Argentine defense, determined to bail out water.
A good action by Tom Curry as soon as the duel began allowed Owen Farrell to take his aim for a walk at the Stade de France and opened the scoring in the 3rd minute.
A small advantage on the scoreboard and a morale blow to Argentina, which was overwhelmed by the English push that was achieved five minutes later with a try by Ben Earl, after a good change of direction by Farrell, supported by Marcus Smith.
After Farrell's transformation, in less than 10 minutes the Pumas were already losing 0-10 and, above all, they hardly seemed to worry their rival.
It took another 3 and a new punishing blow from Farrell from 34 meters for Los Pumas to come out of their lethargy and begin to punish their rival.
After the quarter of an hour, they forced the English to retreat and took them to their 5-meter zone, but a Carreras kick for Boffeli narrowly escaped. The referee awarded them a previous foul that they resolved in a scrum in which the English managed to emerge victorious.
Boffeli himself opened the Argentine scoring by converting a penalty shot in the 24th minute and after overcoming a new phase of English dominance, in which Farrell put three more points on the English scoreboard (16-3), the Pumas finally managed , dismast England in '37.
It was a good collective play, with two breaks, one from González and the other from Cinti, which allowed Tomás Cubelli to flatten the oval. Boffelli converted to reduce the gap (10-16) and, above all, leave a better image heading into the second half.
A feeling that was confirmed when they came out of the showers with some more offensive Pumas who after two minutes scored their second try in a good opening by Carreras who eliminated three rivals to score alone.
After Boffelli's new transformation, Argentina took the lead for the first time (17-16), but the joy was short-lived, because in the next play, Carreras himself saw how his attempt to get the ball was countered by a timely Theo Dan, who stayed at will to regain the advantage.
Farrell converted (17-23), but Los Pumas did not let themselves be intimidated and from 45 meters Boffelli reduced the distance to three (20-23).
The clash entered a phase of balance, nerves and continuous changes. Michael Cheika brought on Matias Moroni and Rodrigo Bruni, while England strengthened their strike game with Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole and Lewis Ludlam.
Nicolás Sánchez responded to Farrell's transformation in the 65th minute three later (23-26) and Argentina launched with faith in search of a comeback.
They touched it with their fingertips, they made it possible in the middle of a Stade de France that chanted their actions, but Sánchez was one step away from achieving the tie. The English ship resisted and took away Argentine hopes.
Argentina (23): Gallo (Sclavi, 66), Montoya (Creevy, 56), Gómez Kodela (Bello, 60), Rubiolo (Alemanno, 66), González Samso, Kremer, Isa (Bruni, 47); Cubelli (Bazán Vélez, 51), S. Carreras (Sánchez, 56); M. Carreras, De la Fuente, Cinti (Moroni, 47), Boffelli and Mallia.
Inglaterra (26): Genge (Rodd, 50), Dan (George, 54), Stuart (Cole, 50), Itoje, Chessum (Ribbans, 70), Curry (Ludiam, 50), Underhill, Earl; Youngs (Care, 51), Farrell; Arundell (Lawrence, 66), Tuilagi (Ford, 56), Marchant, Steward y Smith.
Scores: 0-3, penalty hit by Owen Farrell (3). 0-8, try by Ben Earl (7). 0-10, transformation of Owen Farrell (8). 0-13, penalty hit by Owen Farrell (13). 3-13, penalty shot by Emiliano Boffelli (23). 3-16, penalty hit by Owen Farrell (30). 8-16, essay by Tomás Cubelli (36). 10-16, transformation of Emiliano Boffelli (37). 15-16, essay by Santiago Carreras (43). 17-16, transformation of Emiliano Boffelli (44). 17-21, essay by Theo Dan (45). 17-23, Owen Farrell transformation. 20-23, penalty shot by Emiliano Boffelli (49). 20-26, penalty shot by Owen Farrell (64). 23-26, penalty shot by Nicolás Sánchez (68).
Referee: Nic Berry (Australian).
Incidents: Match played at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis before 77,674 spectators
