Summary

  • England hold on at Stade de France to finish third in 2023 World Cup

  • Nicholas Sanchez had chance to force extra-time but missed routine penalty

  • Hooker Dan Theo charged down kick to score crucial try in second half

  • Santiago Carreras try had put Argentina ahead at start of second half

  • Bulldozing Ben Earl try helped England lead 13-0 in first half

  • Scrum-half Ben Youngs played 127th and final England match

  • England finish World Cup with six wins from seven games

  1. Kick-offpublished at 20:01 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina 0-0 England

    Here we go, who wants that bronze medal more?

  2. 'The game means a lot back in Argentina'published at 19:58 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Martin Landajo
    Former Argentina scrum-half on BBC 5 Live

    Argentina were not good against New Zealand and this is the important game for us, the game means a lot back in Argentina.

    It is a big inspiration for kids to see Argentina get the bronze medal.

  3. Curry hits 50published at 19:55 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Tom Curry of England runs outImage source, Getty Images

    After an eventful and difficult week for Tom Curry, he is the first man out on his 50th cap.

    Only 25, some achievement!

  4. Is there a medal?published at 19:53 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Michael Cheika after the defeat by New Zealand wasn't sure if there was even a physical medal for finishing third.

    Well Cheika, there is...

    So something tangible is indeed up for grabs.

    New Zealand with medals after 2019Image source, Getty Images
  5. Party time in Parispublished at 19:51 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    England fans in the standsImage source, Getty Images
    Argentinian fan in the standsImage source, Getty Images
  6. This guy?published at 19:49 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Joe Marler on his mobile phoneImage source, Getty Images
  7. Sprinter on the stereopublished at 19:48 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Mike Henson
    BBC Sport at Stade de France

    At each game, the teams are invited to nominate a track to put on the pre-match playlist as their 'warm-up' song.

    Argentina's brassy, upbeat number I didn't recognise, but, from what could be made out through the reverb, it sounded like England's pick was a remix of Central Cee and Dave's Sprinter.

    I wonder who gets control of the biggest stereo among the England squad and got to pick that out.

  8. The battle for bronzepublished at 19:45 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Owen Farrell walking down the tunnelImage source, Getty Images

    The third-place play-off is a game in the Rugby World Cup which is not greatly remembered, possibly because some people prioritise the Rugby World Cup final...

    As mentioned Argentina have featured twice and England once before in the third-place play-off.

    But if you are wondering what the past results have been in this fixture. Here you go:

    1987 - Wales 22-21 Australia

    1991 - New Zealand 13-6 Scotland

    1995 - France 19-9 England

    1999 - South Africa 22-18 New Zealand

    2003 - New Zealand 40-13 France

    2007 - Argentina 34-10 France

    2011 - Australia 21-18 Wales

    2015 - South Africa 24-13 Argentina

    2019 - New Zealand 40-17 Wales

  9. Does the bronze-medal match matter?published at 19:43 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on Rugby Union Daily

    If you have the game, the bronze medal is important as any Olympian will tell you.

    Argentina want to win it - they have effectively said the match is their World Cup final and they came here to get the bronze.

    For England, it's a chance to push back against some of the criticism they have faced. Narrowly missing out on a final and beating Argentina twice in a tournament to come third, is not a disgrace.

  10. History gaining bronzepublished at 19:40 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    It may be the game no one wants to play in but both sides have been here before.

    England will play in the bronze final for the second time at the World Cup, losing their previous match at this stage against France in 1995.

    Argentina will be playing in it for the third time in their history, beating France in 2007 but losing to South Africa in 2015

    Bryan Habana and uan Martin Fernandez LobbeImage source, Getty Images
  11. Warm-up watchpublished at 19:37 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Mike Henson
    BBC Sport at Stade de France

    Henry Arundell warming up

    Henry Arundell is already stripped down to a white t-shirt and shuttling through some sprinting drills.

    After he collected five in the pool-stage thrashing of Chile, the 20-year-old needs three tries tonight to pull level with current All Black Will Jordan, Jonah Lomu, Julian Savea and Bryan Habana for the most tries scored in a single tournament.

    Perhaps more likely to be on his horizon is the record for the most tries scored by an England men's player at a Rugby World Cup - he has to beat the six scored by Chris Ashton at the 2011 tournament.

  12. The end of an erapublished at 19:35 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Courtney LawesImage source, Getty Images

    Along with Ben Youngs, Courtney Lawes announced his international retirement this week.

    The 34-year-old has played in four World Cups and two British and Irish Lions tours and is one of only five Englishmen to be capped 100 times.

    "I think it's time. I've done four World Cups, so I'm pretty happy with that," he said.

    "I'm proud of the journey I've been on. To be able to finish with this group, it's something I'll treasure forever."

    Thirteen of England's semi-final side played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.

    So there could be a few more following Lawes and Youngs after the game against Argentina.

  13. 127 and outpublished at 19:32 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Media caption,

    England's Ben Youngs explains his decision to retire from international rugby.

    Ben Youngs, England's most capped men's player, will end his international career after the game against Argentina.

    The 34-year-old scrum-half will win his 127th England cap against the Pumas in his first start of the tournament.

    He made his Test debut against Scotland in March 2010 when current coach Steve Borthwick was captain.

    Time to finish in style?

    Ben Youngs 127th test match shirtImage source, Getty Images
  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:29 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Manu Tuilagi, Maro Itoje and Jamie George sing the national anthemImage source, Getty Images

    With it being the final game of England's 2023 World Cup campaign.

    How do you feel it has gone for Steve Borthwick's men?

    Get involved and rate their campaign from 1-10.

    Let us know your thoughts.

  15. Team newspublished at 19:26 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Owen Farrell and Julian Montoya pictured on a collated imageImage source, Getty Images

    Flanker Tom Curry is one of seven England players to retain their place in the starting XV despite a week of controversy.

    Marcus Smith returns to full-back after missing the defeat by the Springboks and Henry Arundell is recalled on the wing as two of eight changes.

    Scrum-half Ben Youngs makes his first start of the tournament in his final England appearance before retiring from the international game.

    Argentina have made three changes from the side that was comfortably beaten by New Zealand in the semi-final.

    England: Smith; Steward, Marchant, Tuilagi, Arundell; Farrell (capt), Youngs; Genge, Dan, Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Curry, Underhill, Earl.

    Replacements:George, Rodd, Cole, Ribbans, Ludlam, Care, Ford, Lawrence.

    Argentina: Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, De la Fuente, M Carreras; S Carreras, Cubelli; Gallo, Montoya (capt), Kodela, Pagadizabal, Rubiolo, Gonzalez, Kremer, Isa.

    Replacements:Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Alemanno, Bruni, Velez, Sanchez, Moroni.

  16. Farrell stands up for Currypublished at 19:23 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Owen Farrell and Tom CurryImage source, Getty Images

    England captain Owen Farrell says online abuse of team-mate Tom Curry for reporting an alleged on-pitch racial slur is "unacceptable".

    Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe to report an alleged racially abusive comment from South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi.

    "What isn't understandable is the amount of abuse," said Farrell.

    "The effect the abuse has - not just on him - is what I and we really don't understand.

    "You are dealing with a human being, just because you are saying stuff on your phone or behind a screen doesn't make it acceptable.

    "I hope he knows that everyone close to him supports him and backs him all the way. I am sure he does.

    "The people close to him, I hope they know he is being supported really well."

  17. World Rugby denied Curry a voice - Borthwickpublished at 19:20 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Steve BorthwickImage source, Getty Images

    England have accused World Rugby of denying Tom Curry a fair hearing over his allegation of an on-field racial slur by South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi.

    "Tom Curry has done nothing wrong," said head coach Steve Borthwick.

    "World Rugby made a decision not to allow the opportunity for the victim's voice to be heard.

    "Everyone associated with this team shares that bitter disappointment at World Rugby's decision."

  18. Bongi Mbonambi cleared of alleged racial slurpublished at 19:17 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Bongi Mbonambi and Tom CurryImage source, PA Media

    It has been an eventful week for both England and South Africa since their semi-final.

    Tom Curry claimed South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi used a racial slur during England's semi-final defeat but World Rugby said there was "insufficient evidence" and closed the investigation.

    The Rugby Football Union said it was "deeply disappointed", external by the decision not to charge Mbonambi and convene an independent disciplinary panel at which Curry could give evidence and answer questions.

    South Africa face the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final in Paris on Saturday from 20:00 BST, with Mbonambi set to start the game.

  19. England's campaign comes to a closepublished at 19:14 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    Mike Henson
    BBC Sport at Stade de France

    Stade de France with fans sheltering under umbrellasImage source, BBC Sport

    On the opening weekend of the tournament, fans were sheltering under the awnings of fast-food outlets at the Stade de France to escape the UV and 32C heat.

    Now, seven weeks and at least one season later, people are crouched beneath umbrellas as the cold, steady rain falls on the concrete concourse.

    It's been an even longer campaign for England's players who came into camp at the start of June, very nearly five months ago.

    Allied troops went from landing in Normandy on D-Day to liberating Paris in half the time.

  20. Coverage delaypublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 27 October 2023

    Argentina v England (20:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    For anyone wondering there has been a slight delay to the radio coverage from Paris due to the developing story in Gaza.

    It will now start at 19:30 BST.