Imagine being down 0-21 in a high-stakes rugby match, only to roar back and claim victory. That’s exactly what Argentina’s Los Pumas did in a jaw-dropping display of resilience against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday. But here’s where it gets controversial—was Scotland’s collapse a result of overconfidence, or did Argentina’s tactical brilliance simply outshine their opponents? Let’s dive in.
The match began with Scotland dominating the scoreboard, leading 14-0 at halftime. Early in the second half, hooker Ewan Ashman secured his second try, extending Scotland’s lead to a seemingly insurmountable 21-0. For many, the game appeared all but over. And this is the part most people miss—Argentina’s comeback wasn’t just about scoring tries; it was a masterclass in mental toughness and strategic adjustments.
In the final 23 minutes, Los Pumas unleashed a relentless assault, scoring five tries through skipper Julian Montoya, Rodrigo Isgro, Pedro Rubiolo, Pablo Matera, and Justo Piccardo. Santiago Carreras, the replacement flyhalf, was nothing short of sensational, converting four of those tries and igniting his team’s historic rally. Scotland’s early dominance crumbled under the pressure, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning what went wrong.
Here’s a bold take: Could Scotland’s early lead have led to complacency, or did Argentina’s bench strength and tactical shifts simply outmaneuver them? The debate is ripe for discussion.
The final score: Argentina 33, Scotland 24. Carreras was rightfully named Player of the Match for his game-changing performance. For Scotland, tries from Jack Dempsey and Ashman’s double, along with Finn Russell’s conversions and penalty, weren’t enough to hold off the Pumas’ surge.
Yellow cards were issued to Juan Cruz Mallia (Argentina, 5th minute) for cynical play and Blair Kinghorn (Scotland, 55th minute) for offside, adding further drama to an already intense clash.
Thought-provoking question: In rugby, is it better to start strong and maintain momentum, or does the ability to adapt mid-game ultimately decide the winner? Share your thoughts in the comments—this match has plenty to unpack!
Teams:
Scotland: Blair Kinghorn (15), Darcy Graham (14), Rory Hutchinson (13), Sione Tuipulotu (12, captain), Kyle Steyn (11), Finn Russell (10), Jamie Dobie (9), Jack Dempsey (8), Rory Darge (7), Gregor Brown (6), Grant Gilchrist (5), Scott Cummings (4), D’Arcy Rae (3), Ewan Ashman (2), Pierre Schoeman (1).
Replacements: George Turner (16), Nathan McBeth (17), Elliot Millar Mills (18), Josh Bayliss (19), Matt Fagerson (20), George Horne (21), Tom Jordan (22), Duhan van der Merwe (23).
Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia (15), Rodrigo Isgro (14), Matias Moroni (13), Santiago Chocobares (12), Mateo Carreras (11), Geronimo Prisciantelli (10), Simon Benitez Cruz (9), Joaquin Oviedo (8), Juan Martin Gonzalez (7), Santiago Grondona (6), Pedro Rubiolo (5), Guido Petti (4), Pedro Delgado (3), Julian Montoya (2, captain), Mayco Vivas (1).
Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz (16), Thomas Gallo (17), Francisco Coria Marchetti (18), Efrain Elias (19), Pablo Matera (20), Agustin Moyano (21), Santiago Carreras (22), Justo Piccardo (23).
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)