Lions Suffer Historic Loss to Argentina in Dublin

The British and Irish Lions faced their first loss ever to Argentina, 28-24, in Dublin, marking a historic defeat. The Lions struggled with accuracy despite promising plays and defensive weaknesses allowed Argentina to capitalize and secure victory. Key players emerged, but attention is needed on their line-out as they prepare for the next match in Australia.

In a surprising turn of events, the British and Irish Lions faced their first-ever defeat at the hands of Argentina, succumbing to a 28-24 loss during their tour opener in Dublin. This marks a significant setback for the Lions as they prepare for a series of matches in Australia. After falling behind 21-10 at halftime, coach Andy Farrell’s squad attempted to rally with some impressive plays, but ultimately, Argentina, ranked fifth globally, defended staunchly in front of an eager crowd at the Aviva Stadium.

The match saw the Lions momentarily clawing back into contention with a penalty try and a touchdown from Tadhg Beirne. However, it was Argentina’s swift counter-attacking that proved lethal, allowing Santiago Cordero to score the decisive try in the 59th minute. This triumph is historic for the Pumas, as it marks their first victory against the Lions in eight encounters and halts the Lions’ streak of winning tour openers since 1971.

The Lions displayed a commendable attacking spirit, a positive sign ahead of their upcoming fixtures in Australia, yet they were plagued by mistakes and hesitance, often overextending their plays. Notably, Fin Smith emerged as a standout player, suggesting he may challenge Finn Russell for the coveted fly-half spot against the Wallabies, alongside Tommy Freeman, who also made early impressions.

On the scrum front, the Lions looked robust, with props Ellis Genge and Finlay Bealham dominating Argentina’s front row. Despite this strength, attention is urgently needed on their line-out, especially ahead of their forthcoming match against Western Force next Saturday. Initially, doubts about the Dublin fixture being merely a financial venture faded quickly as the match delivered high intensity from the get-go, keeping spectators on edge until the final whistle.

In the early exchanges, Luke Cowan-Dickie had a try disallowed due to a knock-on, and the Pumas seized the opportunity to score first. Duhan van der Merwe initially made strong runs but ultimately exposed gaps in the Lions’ defense, which Ignacio Mendy exploited to score. Sione Tuipulotu soon saw another try denied due to a knock-on, but Bundee Aki broke through under pressure in the 19th minute for the Lions, finding success amid a flurry of red shirts.

After Tomas Albornoz’s penalty nudged the Pumas back ahead, the Lions continued showing promise in attack, but were once again caught off guard as Albornoz’s additional points extended Argentina’s lead to 14-10. A critical moment for the Lions came just before halftime when they lost possession at a ruck, allowing Juan Martin Gonzalez to capitalize, with Albornoz finishing decisively.

The second half saw the Lions off to a strong start, buoyed by Fin Smith’s confidence, resulting in a penalty try. Tuipulotu’s powerful run helped set up another play, as the Lions began to find their stride. Yet, despite their efforts, the Lions could not sustain the momentum and were once again vulnerable defensively, with Van der Merwe’s mishap leading to Cordero’s brilliant counter-attack, sealing the match. In the end, even though the Lions held dominance in the closing minutes, they could not penetrate Argentina’s strong defense round off the game.

The British and Irish Lions’ unexpected loss to Argentina marks a historic moment in rugby, signaling their first defeat against the Pumas during their eight encounters. Though there were promising performances particularly from Fin Smith and the scrum unit, mistakes and defensive follies ultimately cost them the match. As the Lions look ahead, there remains much work to be done, particularly in tightening their defense and enhancing line-out efficiency before facing the Western Force.

Original Source: www.rugbypass.com