Argentina 26-18 Scotland: Hosts thwart fightback to secure win in first of three Tests

Argentina thwarted an all-too-brief Scotland fightback to win the primary of their three-match summer time collection.

Two tries inside 4 minutes from Mark Bennett and Rory Hutchinson shortly after the break drew Scotland stage.

However Gonzalo Bertranou replied virtually instantly and Emiliano Boffelli’s penalty secured a deserved victory.

In reality, a win in Jujuy would have flattered Gregor Townsend’s facet, who have been second greatest for all however that opening spell of the second half.

Argentina’s first win over Scotland because the 2011 World Cup got here of their first recreation in entrance of a house crowd since August 2019 due to the pandemic – and their first underneath new head coach Michael Cheika.

Townsend’s facet had the more moderen match follow contemplating their hosts had not performed since November’s 53-7 thumping by Eire in Dublin.

However Cheika went for expertise, packing his facet with seasoned internationals, whereas Scotland’s head coach had left behind the likes of influential pair Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell – and it confirmed.

Scotland fell behind after solely three minutes when Sanchez slotted his penalty after the guests have been penalised for not releasing at a ruck.

Kinghorn levelled the scores with Scotland’s first incursion into the house half, however the guests handed Sanchez a simple reply virtually instantly from the restart.

Argentina, who needed to exchange Tomas Cubelli when the scrum-half was injured within the warm-up, additionally misplaced fly-half Sanchez quickly after that penalty success and Edinburgh again Boffelli was unable to seek out the goal together with his first kick as deputy.

Scotland took benefit to stage by a second Kinghorn penalty from long-range, however Argentina stress informed as De la Fuente touched down regardless of Ali Worth’s attentions.

Boffelli missed that conversion however made up for it quickly after when Carreras dived theatrically over after Scotland have been caught by an outstanding break by the traces by full-back Juan Cruz Mallia.

The guests did what they did not do in the entire of first half – encroaching deep into dwelling territory – within the opening seconds of the second half, however the officers dominated that Duhan van der Merwe had not grounded the ball in a race behind the road.

Scotland saved up the stress, nonetheless, and centre Bennett marked his first begin in six years by racing clear to the touch down.

Hutchinson, who was a shock selection at full-back, stormed over, arrange by a intelligent Kinghorn cross, quickly after.

Nonetheless, when Boffelli received the aerial contest from the restart, scrum-half Bertranou managed to slip the ball on to the road on the far facet of the ensuing ruck.

Then, after Rory Barge was caught on incorrect facet of ruck, Boffelli slotted a penalty to provide the hosts a profitable cushion meaning Scotland should in Salta in seven days’ time to have hope of profitable the collection.

It accomplished a depressing day for British Isles sides towards groups from the southern hemisphere with Wales, England and Eire dropping to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand respectively.

Argentina head coach Michael Cheika: “There are clearly numerous issues to enhance, however I feel a number of the fundamentals have been there. Taking part in in entrance of a house crowd offers you that may to win and carry out.

“I am undoubtedly completely happy – the fellows have labored exhausting and received their reward. It is nice for the followers and a big day for the lads.”

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: “I am disillusioned. We did not get going till the second half after which we received right into a place from which we must always have kicked on – and did not.

“We’re all right here to study. It is the primary recreation for us shortly. You must benefit from the alternatives you get. We have to present extra depth, and counter what Argentina do higher subsequent week.”

Argentina: Mallia, S. Cordero, Orlando, de la Fuente, Boffelli, Sanchez, Bertranou, Tetaz Chaparro, Montoya, Gomez Kodela, Petti, Alemanno, Gonzalez, Kremer, Matera.

Replacements: Creevy, Vivas, Sclavi, Paulos, Isa, Imhoff, S Carreras, Moroni.

Scotland: Hutchinson, Graham, Bennett, Johnson, Van Der Merwe, Kinghorn, Worth, Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Grey, Bradbury, Crosbie, M Fagerson.

Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Sebastian, Skinner, Darge, White, Thompson, Tuipulotu.

Referee: Nic Berry (ARU).