Quarter-final on the linepublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 8 October 2023
HT: Japan 14-15 Argentina
You can tell a lot is riding on this one.
Image source, Getty ImagesSummary
Argentina will face Wales in quarter-finals next Saturday
Wing Mateo Carreras scores hat-trick as Argentina finish runners-up in Pool D
Jone Naikabula scored in corner as Japan got within two points in Nantes
But third try from Newcastle Falcons wing Carreras ensured victory
England won Pool D with four wins from four
Quarter-final on the linepublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 8 October 2023
Image source, Getty ImagesHalf-time - Japan 14-15 Argentinapublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 8 October 2023
What a game of rugby.
Converted try - Japan 14-15 Argentinapublished at 38 mins
Naoto Saito (con Rikiya Matsuda)
Image source, ReutersGame on again.
Japan finally get hold of the ball and start to go through the phases. Once they get the ball wide Siosaia Fifita is able to break clear before he sends Naoto Saito in for the score.
Very much against the run of play.
Japan back to 15published at 35 mins
Japan 7-15 Argentina
Flanker Pieter Labuschagne returns to the field for Japan. He will have to redeem himself.
Penalty - Japan 7-15 Argentinapublished at 35 mins
Emiliano Boffelli
Image source, Getty ImagesHe does not miss those ones.
Postpublished at 33 mins
Japan 7-12 Argentina
Everything is going Argentina's way now as they come on the attack again. That sin-bin is looking like a very costly one for Japan.
Another penalty conceded and the Pumas point for the posts.
'That is true Argentinian rugby'published at 12:38 British Summer Time 8 October 2023
Japan 7-12 Argentina
Dick Best
Ex-England coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraArgentina were onto that like a flash. They moved the ball very quickly, as soon as it got to Mateo Carreras it was all over.
A great charge down from Marcos Kremer - right in the face.
That is true Argentinian rugby.
Try - Japan 7-12 Argentinapublished at 28 mins
Mateo Carreras
Image source, ReutersHuge score.
It starts with a great take from Juan Cruz Mallia who offloads the ball to Gonzalo Bertranou. The scrum-half did not quite have the gas to make it so hands it on to the speedster.
Mateo Carreras, who plays his rugby in the Premiership with Newcastle, races down the wing and dives over in the corner.
Emiliano Boffelli again misses the conversion.
Replacement - Argentinapublished at 26 mins
Japan 7-7 Argentina
Off goes the inspirational Pablo Matera and he is replaced by Matias Alemanno.
He couldn't even walk off himself, so his World Cup may well be over.
No red cardpublished at 24 mins
Japan 7-7 Argentina
Indeed there was mitigation and Pieter Labuschagne will return after his sin-bin.
Postpublished at 24 mins
Japan 7-7 Argentina
Emiliano Boffelli pulls his penalty wide. A bad miss for a man of his ability.
'There is mitigation'published at 12:28 British Summer Time 8 October 2023
Japan 7-7 Argentina
Dick Best
Ex-England coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Image source, Getty ImagesThere is mitigation in my opinion because both players dipped into the contact: Pieter Labuschagne to tackle and Thomas Gallo to take the ball forward.
Sin-bin - Japan (Pieter Labuschagne)published at 23 mins
Japan 7-7 Argentina
Image source, Getty ImagesThe tackle is high and to the head so will be reviewed in the bunker. Could go either way this one.
We have seen worse not punished but it will be a nervous wait.
Postpublished at 23 mins
Japan 7-7 Argentina
Pablo Matera looks down the camera after a big steal. A man you do not want to mess with.
Argentina lose the ball however. Japan have rattled them from that wonder try!
Postpublished at 20 mins
Japan 7-7 Argentina
Japan have responded so well since that early try. They are back deep inside the Argentina 22.
'Fakatava made it look easy, great try'published at 12:21 British Summer Time 8 October 2023
Japan 7-7Argentina
Dick Best
Ex-England coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Image source, Getty ImagesReally you will not find any better try than that. Unbelievable chip, then a kind bounce and Amato Fakatava was in.
Fantastic play and great skills, wonderful ball skills to tap it down the sideline. Fakatava made it look easy, great try.
Converted try - Japan 7-7 Argentinapublished at 16 mins
Amato Fakatava (con Rikiya Matsuda)
Image source, Getty ImagesWOW!
The big lock gets the ball out on the wing and goes full Damian Penaud mode, with a chip over the final defender before he regathers and scores.
Penaud is the top scorer at the competition for France and would be proud of that one.
Rikiya Matsuda bangs it over from out wide.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 12:15 British Summer Time 8 October 2023
#bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
As a Wales fan, you would rather play Japan. With Argentina, it will always be unpredictable, tricky and dirty.
Cedric
'Overhead kick out of this world'published at 12:14 British Summer Time 8 October 2023
Japan 0-7 Argentina
Dick Best
Ex-England coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraThat was so unlucky for Japan, that would have ended up on the Rugby World Cup highlight reel!
The overhead kick was out of this world from Naoto Saito.
Postpublished at 11 mins
Japan 0-7 Argentina
Japan put their hands on their head.
Scrum-half Naoto Saito kicks the ball over his head from the ruck which results in Japan rushing into the Argentina 22.
But the ball is lost and a big chance is gone.
What a piece of skill!