Juan Imhoff, Argentina's prime poacher, with ball in hand on the left wing, but Ireland's defence are alert and the winger is ejected into touch. 

Ireland secure on their own line-out ball and Conor Murray concludes a glorious half. Boot to ball, into touch. 

Ireland upping the ante at the breakdown as Argentina rumble around their 22m line. Cian Healy makes amends for his transgression at the scrum, slowing down play, and the Pumas are penalised for failing to stay on their feet. The pressure valve loosens a tad. 

Super stuff from Matias Moroni, holding up a man in green in the tackle, gaining his team a scrum on the halfway line. Silly from Ireland, letting momentum slip. 

From bad to worse. Ireland loose-head prop Cian Healy nose to the ground, and Jerome Garces has little option but to present Nicolas Sanchez with a chance to boot Argentina into Irish territory. 

Five minutes until the break and Ireland's forwards are rumbling, pushing Argentina's defence back inch by inch. But Argentina turnover ball this time just when the backs are set in motion. Winger Dave Kearney the man caught isolated on the floor. 

Ireland's scrum is tree trunk still after wobbling in the opening minutes. Keith Earls running straight in midfield, but men in green get no joy so the referee halts play and penalises the Pumas for collapsing at the scrum. 

Ian Madigan steps up, but his effort hits the uprights! 

Image source, AP

Ireland have stemmed the blue tide and have pulled themselves back into the game.

Argentina are seeing less of the ball and their frustration is leading to penalties.

Image source, Opta

Justin Marshall
Former New Zealand scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live

"The main difference over the last 12 minutes or so is that Argentina haven't been able to get their hands on the ball and get some rhythm. They were using it well, so at least Ireland have stopped that."

Image source, Reuters

Ireland, pride pricked, are fighting their way back into the light, but they're now facing 15 men as Ramiro Herrera's sin bin is over. 

Ian Madigan needs the attention of the medical staff. The Millennium Stadium turf turning into a scene of a Hollywood war epic. 

But the outside-half is not going to leave this field because of a bone-crunching collision with Nicolas Sanchez. He's craving a leading role. 

Argentina bossing the breakdown, and nearly every call is going their way. Nicolas Sanchez falters this time, though, but hang on... what's happening here... 

Image source, Getty Images

A rare mistake from a man in blue and white. Juan Martin Hernandez, the centre with usually regal hands, knocks on to gift Ireland a put-in at the scrum on the halfway line. 

How will Ireland's forwards fare? Argentina are down to 14 men so the Irish scrum is firm but Robbie Henshaw loses possession just as the men in green prepare to spin it wide.   

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

"I'm worried about the options Ireland are taking. They're making too many wrong decisions. Sometimes, for instance, Conor Murray has gone right when the options are left. When you're making wrong decisions, it's usually a sign that your head's not right, and Ireland just aren't there."

Image source, EPA

Ireland need to make the most of their man advantage, but they can't do anything without the ball. Argentina resolute in defence, dashing in attack. 

Flanker Chris Henry is caught coming in at the side of the ruck and Nicolas Sanchez inflicts further damage in a dreamy start for the Pumas. 

Image source, Reuters

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

"This is a chance Ireland have to take. They have to capitalise on the fact that Argentina are a man down. If they can't capitalise, it will be such a boost for Argentina.

"Argentina want to run the clock down. That's what you do when you're a man down."