Italy 15-31 Argentina: Pumas leave it late in Florence
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 18/11/17 5:55pm
Argentina scored 17 unanswered points in the final 20 minutes to beat Italy 31-15 in their autumn international in Florence.
In a match in which the lead changed hands nine times, all the home team's points came from the boot, while the Pumas scored three tries as they won for the seventh straight game against Italy.
Italy coach Conor O'Shea retained the team that had beaten Fiji the previous week, but they were unable to end a winless run against Argentina that stretches back to 2008.
Argentina were forced into a change after 10 minutes as Juan Martin Martinez briefly came on for Nicolas Sanchez at fly-half. Within a minute Italy strayed offside and Martinez kicked the penalty.
A minute later Carlo Canna replied for Italy and then put the hosts ahead after 20 minutes. Winger Sebastian Cancelliere stretched over to put Argentina ahead after 26 minutes. Sanchez, back on the field, missed the conversion which allowed Canna to restore Italy's lead before the half.
The lead switched back and forth early in the second half as Sanchez kicked three more penalties for Argentina, split by a penalty by Canna and a drop goal from Marcello Violi for Italy.
With 12 minutes to go, Marcos Kremer picked up from the back of a maul, brushed aside a tackle and strolled across the Italian line for a try.
Sanchez converted to put Argentina nine points ahead and when full-back Joaquin Tuculet scampered over with four minutes the Pumas were sure of a comfortable victory.
