Argentina 17-22 England: Jack van Poortvliet late try clinches series win
England wrap-up 2-0 series win over Argentina through Jack van Poortvliet try in final minute; Ireland run in a record-breaking 16 tries in 106-7 rout of Portugal; watch Australia vs The British and Irish Lions in the first Test live on July 19 live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW
Sunday 13 July 2025 08:30, UK
Jack van Poortvliet's last-gasp try clinched England a 22-17 victory against Argentina in their second Test in San Juan to wrap up a 2-0 series win.
Replacement scrum-half Van Poortvliet went over in the final minute with the score locked at 17-17 following Guy Pepper's brilliant blind-side break as England followed up last week's 35-12 win in La Plata in style.
Each side scored two tries in the first half, with Argentina twice hitting back through centre Lucio Cinti and wing Ignacio Mendy after touchdowns from England pair Seb Atkinson and Freddie Steward.
In a fast and furious encounter at the Bicentenary Stadium, Santiago Carreras' first-half penalty had edged Argentina into a 17-14 interval lead, with George Ford's penalty in the second period hauling England level before Van Poortvliet's thrilling late effort.
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Atkinson gave England a flying start with his first try for his country in his second appearance, sent clear by debutant Luke Northmore's offload after wing Tom Roebuck had brilliantly caught Ford's cross-field kick.
Ford, making his 101st England appearance, added the extras and after Carreras' excellent penalty pulled Argentina back to 7-3, the tourists were reduced to 14 men.
Ben Curry was sent to the sin-bin for his high tackle on Pablo Matera in the 20th minute and the Pumas soon made their extra man count.
Simon Benitez Cruz made a searing break after he had gathered a loose ball and the scrum-half fed Cinti, who raced over for a converted score.
But England's response was brilliant. Roebuck was held up in the corner after a sweeping attack and after the visitors had spun the ball the other way, wing Will Muir fed Steward to sprint in for their second try.
The pace was unrelenting and Argentina hit back to lead 17-14 at the interval when Steward failed to gather Carreras's bouncing kick by the posts and Mendy pounced to touch down.
England were rewarded for territorial advantage early in the second half when Ford's converted penalty drew them level at 17-17.
Argentina lost number eight Matera to the sin bin just before the hour for killing the ball at a maul just yards from his try line.
Van Poortvliet thought he had made a decisive score when touching down in the corner, but Steward had fumbled the ball forward in the build-up.
Two tiring teams continued their ferocious battle, almost entirely in Argentina's half, as the game headed into the final 10 minutes with the home side's brave defending keeping the tourists at bay.
But heading into the final minute, replacement flanker Pepper stole clear from a maul and after charging down the blind side he turned inside to send the supporting Van Poortvliet over for the decisive score.
What they said
England captain George Ford
"I'm proud of the boys. I like our fight, our togetherness, showing how much we care.
"There was some great stuff, we should have scored more tries but the attitude of the group is great."
Argentina captain Julian Montoya
"We were not good enough, we have to be honest with ourselves. I am sorry we couldn't get the win, we gave away too many penalties."