Argentina score 50 as their class proves too much for Italy

Italy 18 Argentina 50

Argentina continued their impressive record against Italy with a 50-18 win in their opening autumn international test on Saturday, their ninth consecutive victory over the hosts who were let down by poor passing and handling errors.

Italy came into the match on the back of their best ever Six Nations campaign, while Argentina did likewise in the Rugby Championship, recording wins over all three opponents, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, for the first time.

A close game was expected but Italy never looked like maintaining their good run of form and Argentina, despite missing several regulars with Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer and Santiago Chocobares all missing, ran out easy winners.

The Italians were not helped by the loss of fullback Ange Capuozzo to injury early on and Argentina were 17-0 up before the half hour. Italy did, however, cut the lead to four points with a penalty try and a penalty either side of the break.

The comeback never materialised though and Argentina ran in another five tries in the second half with Italy too easily losing possession and allowing the opposition in time and again.

Flyhalf Tomas Albornoz scored 20 of Argentina’s points, including a try when he raced away after his side again capitalised on a loose ball, and Italy’s Giacomo Nicotera scored what would only be a consolation try.

Capuozzo went off after six minutes, with Argentina already ahead from an early penalty before scoring an easy try after 11 minutes.

Juan Cruz Mallia pounced on a loose ball as Italy’s passing broke down and the fullback raced down the right wing, skipping past the chasing Louis Lynagh to score, with Tomas Albornoz converting.

Franco Molina made a great catch to set up another Argentina attack and when Paolo Garbisi failed to gather a loose ball Gonzalo Bertranou went over in the corner.

A penalty try awarded by English referee Matthew Carley and the resulting yellow card for Juan Martin Gonzalez for illegally collapsing the Italian maul gave Italy a glimmer of hope, but a penalty from Tommaso Allan, who replaced Capuozzo, was all they managed with the extra man.

Carley later showed his sense of humour when he went to ground after getting too close to the action, jokingly signalling for the TMO before saying only his pride had been hurt.

At 17-13 the home fans could have been forgiven for thinking Italy were about to come good but in the 49th minute Argentina’s Joel Sclavi broke from a maul to go over and eight minutes later they were in again.

Italy lost possession under the Argentine posts and when Lynagh failed to gather the clearance kick upfield, Albornoz’s speed took him over for the try which he duly converted.

Santiago Cordero added another try, which Albornoz failed to convert, and with 11 minutes remaining Nicotera finally got some points on the board for Italy with a try but when Allan missed the conversion it left his side 36-18 down.

Matias Alemmano’s try with seven minutes to go ended any Italian hopes and with the hosts down to 14 after Lorenzo Cannone’s yellow card, there was time for one more Argentine try with Bautista Delguy finishing off a well-worked move.

Italy will now face Georgia in Genoa next Sunday while Argentina travel to Dublin to take on Ireland on Saturday.

07:40 PM GMT

FT: Italy 18 Argentina 50

And that is it. It’s all over at Stadio Friuli. Argentina inflicted some amount of damage on their hosts in the end. It was up for grabs for the Italians early in that second period but the Argentine class came through in the end and it is safe to say they ran riot in Udine. It sees a continuation in the rise of Los Pumas whose recent for has been catching the attention of the rugby world.

07:35 PM GMT

82 mins: Italy 18 Argentina 50

The Italians won’t give in despite the game being well and truly over. It’s clear there is some tired legs out there now. Final whistle imminant.

07:34 PM GMT

TRY! 77 mins: Italy 18 Argentina 50

Los Pumas are running riot now. This is pretty much a perfect sequence of play here, like tiki-taka but for rugby. They’re toying with Italy a little now. What was once a gritty physical contest, especially in the first half, is now a training session for Contepomi’s men. It’s finished off by Bautista Delguy. Albornoz adds the finishing touches. A 32-point lead now.

07:28 PM GMT

TRY! 73 mins: Italy 18 Argentina 43

Matias Alemmano bursts through the line-out and adds yet another try for the visitors. Albornoz adds the extras. That’s surely it now.

07:23 PM GMT

TRY! 68 mins: Italy 18 Argentina 36

Though hold on. The Stade Francais prop Giacomo Nicotero uses his power to burrow over the line for another Italian try. It’s double scores though still 36-18. Too much of a gap?

07:20 PM GMT

TRY! 65 mins: Italy 13 Argentina 36

Stick a fork in this one - it’s done. Santiago Cordero, the Connacht win, gallops free of the Italy cover after an initial breakto score Argentina’s fifth try. Though the conversion is scuffed it’s 36-13 now on 67 mins and too far back surely for Italy...

07:18 PM GMT

60 mins: Italy 13 Argentina 31

An hour in and there’s something you don’t see every day - referee Matthew Carley is left on his backside by a pair of marauding Italians looking to break away. The English man’s pride is dented but all else seems to be in working order.

07:05 PM GMT

TRY! 56 mins: Italy 13 Argentina 31

Garbisi is ok and on 55 minutes, the Italians have a penalty and off the lineout take, they are showing some pace and fluency again, and threatening but on Phase 7 they’ve spilt the ball. And how costly that proves! From the turnover the Argentinians counterattack and amid the thrills and mostly spills, the Puma ten Albornoz eventually takes control of the situation and runs in under the posts from 30m to seize control off this test match. The try scorer adds the simple conversion. It’s now 31-13.

07:01 PM GMT

53 mins: Italy 13 Argentina 24

What a poach from Puma back row Oviedo, who stalls Italian momentum in his tracks with a superb turnover. Penalty Argentina on 53 mins and they lead 24-13. More trouble now for the Italians with Paolo Garbisi in injury trouble. The Toulon playmaker looks in some pain.

06:57 PM GMT

TRY! 48 mins: Italy 13 Argentina 24

The Pumas have quietened the home crowd and a driving maul off a lineout drill sees the giant prop Joel Sclavi burrow over for Argentina’s third try. The conversion from Albornoz is good and it’s now 13-24.

06:50 PM GMT

42 mins: Italy 13 Argentina 17

Perfect start to the second period for the home side. The Italians apply the pressure and manage to force a penalty. Tomasso Allan puts a penalty conversion over the black spot and now we’re back to a four-point game.

06:40 PM GMT

HT: Italy 10 Argentina 17

Initially it looked like it was going to be an Argentine runaway, especially after the two preventable mistakes that lead to The Pumas two tries, but the Azzurri have dug in and now its a one-score game in Udine. It was all Italy in that last 15 minutes. The hosts have the momentum going into the second half, can they take advantage?

06:32 PM GMT

40 mins: Italy 10 Argentina 17

The Italians could have claimed a crucial second try before the break but the officials decree that Azzurri prop Mirco Spagnolo had his knee down before breaking free of Puma tackles. Not so sure. Replays would seem to indicate his knee was not down. The Italians got the consolation of a penalty, converted by Page-Relo to make it a one score game at the break 10-17. The hosts run down the tunnel with a spring in their step.

06:29 PM GMT

38 mins: Italy 7 Argentina 17

Marco Riccioni has space in front of him, he barrels towards the posts and flicks it off to a teammate but they are closed down and the Pumas find a way out.

06:22 PM GMT

PEN TRY! 31 mins: Italy 7 Argentina 17

The Italians are back in it! A rolling maul off a lineout drive is carried down the touchline to the Puma red zone and referee Matthew Carley doesn’t waste any time before jogging under the posts. For good measure Argentina’s Gonzalez is yellow carded for the maul indiscretion. It’s 17-7 but the visitors are down to 14 for the next ten.

06:17 PM GMT

TRY! 27 mins: Italy 0 Argentina 17

28 mins in and a second try for the Pumas. A raking crossfield kick from Albornoz is beautifully taken by wing Rodrigo Isgro. The Italian defence only manages to knock the ball backwards towards the line and Argentina nine Gonzalo Bertranou is on hand to gleefully dot down.

06:10 PM GMT

23 mins: Italy 0 Argentina 10

A beautiful pinpoint kick into touch leads to a line out 5m from the danger zone. The line-out ball is won by Argentina and cleared.

06:07 PM GMT

21 mins: Italy 0 Argentina 10

Brilliant footwork from Bautista Delguy who beats one man, then another, and another but eventually meets the Italian wall.

06:04 PM GMT

18 mins: Italy 0 Argentina 10

The Azzurri receive a penalty but Martin Page-Relo’s attempt slips just wide and right. Chance to narrow the deficit goes a begging.

05:59 PM GMT

13 mins: Italy 0 Argentina 10

Promising Italian attack by the Azzurri. Monty Ioane to Lamaro on the edge but its turned over. Lamaro has his head in his hands. Frustrating.

05:56 PM GMT

TRY! 10 mins: Italy 0 Argentina 10

Juan Cruz Mallia pickpockets the Italians, puts the after burners on down the left, side steps a defender and scores the first try of the game. Albornoz is successful with his conversion. Too easy for the Argentinians.

05:52 PM GMT

8 mins: Italy 0 Argentina 3

The ball goes wide to Lucio Cinti who drops it at the crucial moment. From the scrum Italy release and start an attack of their own

05:51 PM GMT

7 mins: Italy 0 Argentina 3

Capuozzo just got a bad knock to the head. This would be a big loss for the Azzurri, their star full back swapped out temporarily, hopefully not permanently.

05:48 PM GMT

5 mins: Italy 0 Argentina 3

Italy raise the tempo a little. Menoncello burst down the right but finds two Argies in his way. The Italians hold the ball well for a minute but get turned over. It looks like their has been a collision too..

05:46 PM GMT

2 mins: Italy 0 Argentina 3

Los Pumas win a penalty about 15 yards out which Tomas Albornoz places between the posts with ease.

05:44 PM GMT

1 min: Italy 0 Argentina 0

Ferocious opening minute here. Argentina already piling on the pressure. Yards from the Italian end line, both wingers having a go at a try but both stopped in their tracks. Los Pumas starting as they mean to go on.

05:40 PM GMT

1 min: Italy 0 Argentina 0

We’re underway in Udine...

05:36 PM GMT

The teams take to the field

The gladiators have entered the arena. The cheers echo around Stadio Friuli as the players run out though the noise quickly dies down for the national anthems. Argentina first, then the Italians.

05:26 PM GMT

Carreras a loss for Argentina

Mateo Carreras will be a huge miss for Los Pumas today. The Newcastle Falcons winger picked up a knock recently and will be replaced by Juan Cruz Mallia. Just for an idea of how key Carreras is for Argentina; he ranked second in this year’s Rugby Championship for both metres gained (316) and defenders beaten (17), and made the most turnover-winning tackles of any back in the competition with three. How will this loss affect how Argentina play?

05:10 PM GMT

Los Pumas at the ready

05:10 PM GMT

The numbers game

Italy have won three of their last four home games. That’s as many as they’d won in their previous 17 fixtures. They have lost just one of their last six Test matches, winning four and drawing one, with their last two victories against Japan and Tonga both coming by 20-plus points.

The Pumas have gained on average 515 metres per game this year, the highest rate of any men’s Tier 1 team. Italy, on the other hand, have conceded the most metres per match of any team this year at 483.

Italy have, however, won more turnovers per game than any other men’s Tier 1 side with 6.9. Meanwhile, Argentina have conceded the second most turnovers per game at 15.4. Captain Michele Lamaro made 103 tackles during the Six Nations which was at least 24 more than any other player, usurping Jonny Gray and his tally of 100 in 2018.

Italy have also completed the most tackles per match of any team this year with 178. It seems The Pumas will need to brace themselves for some serious ground time today but the Italians may have met their match in that category. With 15.6 per game, Italy have made the most dominant tackles of any men’s Tier 1 Test sides in 2024 with Argentina close on their six at 14.3 per game.

The Pumas’ creative attack can be hard to contain at the best of times and the Italians will have their work cut out for them trying to stop them in their tracks. Juan Cruz Mallia made more offloads than any other player in The Rugby Championship this year with nine. Mateo Carreras ranked second for both metres gained (316) and defenders beaten (17), and made the most turnover-winning tackles of any back in the competition (3).

04:38 PM GMT

Argentine team

04:37 PM GMT

Italian team

04:36 PM GMT

Italy v Argentina Autumn International live blog

Good afternoon all and welcome to The Telegraph’s live blog for the Autumn International between Italy and Argentina at Stadio Friuli, home of Serie A side Udinese.

Argentina have been turning heads recently with a host of upsets. Since July The Pumas have beaten France, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Those last three were in The Rugby Championship where they did that specific treble for the first time in their history. It’s safe to say Felipe Contepomi’s men will be brimming with confidence and bravado going into this clash with the Azzurri.

As for the Italians, they come into the game off the back of a couple of confidence boosters; overcoming Tonga and Japan in July by 20-plus points each time. Head coach Gonzalo Quesada (a former Argentinian team mate and fly-half rival of Contepomi’s) will understand the challenge at hand here but luckily for him he has his star full back, Ange Capuozzo, in the lineup to reassure the Italians and settle the back line.

The Azzurri’s last two wins versus the Pumas came away from home, but they have failed to beat Argentina on Italian soil so far this century. In fact, since those two victories in 1978 and 1998, they have lost the last nine fixtures.

Let’s see how it plays out. Stay tuned...