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Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of the quarterfinal clash between Ireland and Argentina!
You can read out preview HERE.
Follow our men on the ground, Tom Hamilton (@tomESPNscrum) and Rob Bartlett (@RobBartlettESPN), who'll be providing us with live updates straight from Cardiff. They'll also be giving us their half time and full time analysis straight from the ground.
Ireland XV: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney, Ian Madigan, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Iain Henderson, Jordi Murphy, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip (captain).
Argentina XV: Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff, Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Marcos Ayerza, Agustin Creevy (captain), Ramiro Herrara, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Leonardo Senatore.
Also see...
- New Zealand's win over France
- Michalak's retirement
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| 1 |
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Ireland kick off and the ball lands into the hands of Tomas Lavanini. Quick little bit of interchanging from Argentina before they opt for the punt up high. Still, they fail to surrender possession as Tuculet collects and we're back to Argentinian passing.
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| 2 |
5 - 0 |
Sanchez opts for the aerial route again but hugely impressive catch from Rob Kearney. Ireland's turn for some rugby now...Or not. Pumas have the first penalty of the game as Henderson fails to release. Kicked for the lineout but just can't get their down the left flank.
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| 3 |
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ARGENTINA TRY!
Well, well, well. Outstanding try from Argentina. Brilliant pass from Lobbe in the build up, an attack which all started from the fullback Tuculet. Ran down the left flank and grounds it. Not a good start from Schmidt's men, especially as Sanchez kicks home the extras.
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| 4 |
7 - 0 |
Sanchez - conversion
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| 6 |
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Ireland have the lineout and are on the attack themselves now in an attempt to make amends for their Argentinian undoing moments ago. Not much they can do as they're forced into another lineout.
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| 7 |
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Irish scrum now and Argentina are given the penalty. Huge scrum from the Pumas.
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| 9 |
14 - 0 |
ARGENTINA TRY!
What is going on here! Off to the TMO but Ireland are getting ripped apart here. Spaces all over and the Pumas having a lot of joy down their right hand side. Imhoff scores his fourth try of the competition.
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| 10 |
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| 12 |
17 - 0 |
Bit of Irish pressure now but nothing significant to report besides from Tommy Bowe on the ground in a lot of pain, think he could be on his way off here...
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| 14 |
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Irish attack but still Argentina nullify it. The Pumas are on the offense themselves attack and they're still dictating the play here. Fernandez Lobbe, one of the veterans from '07, heavily involved in the build up play just outside the Irish 22.
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| 15 |
17 - 0 |
Sanchez -
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| 16 |
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Ireland kick and it falls into the hands of Sanchez again. Not having much luck here and struggling for ideas.
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| 17 |
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We've had an Argentinian binning now as Herrara departs for a cynical foul. Ireland need to make this 10 minute window count.
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| 19 |
17 - 3 |
Irish penalty and finally they make the scoreboard with three points
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| 20 |
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Argentina on the break again with Lobbe involved, who manages to gain his side a penalty after Ireland penalised for coming in at the side.
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| 21 |
20 - 3 |
Sanchez - penalty goal
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| 22 |
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| 23 |
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Ireland's scrum now and we're awaiting the reintroduction of Herrara, too...
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| 24 |
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Another Argentina penalty as Ireland fail at the breakdown and fail to move away. Becoming a serious problem for Schmidt's men, gifting the Pumas opportunities to make it count.
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| 25 |
20 - 8 |
And Sanchez misses the kick - his fourth miss of the tournament!
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| 26 |
20 - 10 |
IRELAND TRY!
There is hope for Ireland. Luke Fitzgerald makes the break down the left flank, what an impact from the replacement as he drifts away from Argentinian tacklers to guide home the five points. Good step up from Henshaw right to left to help make space.
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| 27 |
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Ireland's lineout works well into the middle before Henshaw knocks on. Scrum now, Argentina ball.
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| 29 |
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Scrum needs resetting...
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| 30 |
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Finally Ireland managed to make the scrum work and they've worked it down to Kearney on the left flank. It doesn't result in much though as he's taken down. Ireland have been given the penalty kick though for an earlier advantage. Madigan's on it...
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| 32 |
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Not the best kick in the world as he misses it. Henderson makes a nice interception just under the posts though giving his side the scrum, a saviour for the poor kick, I guess?
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| 34 |
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Ireland penalised for not releasing in the ruck and Argentina now have their own penalty just inside their territory after Fernandez Lobbe forced the turnover. Time to release pressure.
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| 36 |
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Scrum along the halfway, with Ireland to feed...
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| 37 |
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Finally, after some back and fourth, Healy forced some pressure and they've been given the penalty. Kicked for the lineout.
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| 38 |
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| 39 |
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Game starting to fizzle out as we approach half time. Past 10 or so minutes has been filled with the set piece, and we're set for another scrum now with Argentina to feed.
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| 40 |
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HALF TIME
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| 40+1 |
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HALF TIME ANALYSIS
ESPN's Rob Bartlett has this to say:
"Arguably the best first half of the World Cup so far. A cacophony of noise greeted Ireland and Argentina into the Millennium Stadium. This is not a World Cup quarterfinal -- this is a celebration of rugby. Pockets of blue and white bounced while a sea of green almost blew the roof off in unison. The Pumas started magnificently as tries from Moroni and Imhoff stunned the Irish - Imhoff's in particular a candidate for try of the tournament. But Ireland did not panic. After a deserved yellow for Herrera, Fitzgerald burst clear and to send the emerald contingent into rapture. Things had looked bleak for Joe Schmidt's side after Tommy Bowe was stretchered off but, roared on by their tremendous support, they find themselves right back in it. Another mouth-watering 40 minutes awaits. "
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| 40+2 |
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| 40 |
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And we're back under way! Argentina kick us into the second half.
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| 42 |
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Irish lineout along they left flank, just inside the half way mark. Bit of head bang involving Robbie Henshaw, but he'll be okay.
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| 43 |
20 - 15 |
IRELAND TRY!
It pays!! Luke Fitzgerald breaks the line again - truly outstanding effort again to get through - and Jordi Murphy receives the off load to his left to run home. Great, great stuff from the replacement.
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| 44 |
20 - 17 |
Madigan - conversion
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| 45 |
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Argentina knock on and we've got another Irish scrum...
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| 47 |
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Ireland really pushing here as Madigan drives it into the Pumas 22. They're starting to open the Pumas up and it looks as if we could see another green try on the horizons...
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| 49 |
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Argentina throw some work back at Ireland themselves as Cordero breaks the green line in attempts of another try. End to end stuff. Arg penalty now and Sanchez will definitely look to tee this one up.
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| 50 |
23 - 17 |
Ramiro Herrera very, very lucky not to get another yellow and a sending off for that dangerous tackle in the ruck. Fortunate man to still be on the field. Madigan makes the extra few points from the penalty, though.
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| 52 |
23 - 20 |
Madigan - penalty goal
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| 53 |
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Cordero involved as Argentina make it to phase nine in some of their own attacking work. They managed to play the ball from their 22 into Ireland's and they're on the charge - albeit very slowly...
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| 54 |
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Rory Best wins the turnover and eventually Ireland are awarded the penalty on the half way.
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| 56 |
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Scrum now along half way, Argentina to feed. Game starting to slow a tad...
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| 58 |
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Cordero loses the ball at contact and gifts the penalty kick to Madigan. Not far from half way, but they're having a go to level the score at 23-23. Can the fly half make it for Ireland?
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| 59 |
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Kicked it wide! Can't make it.
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| 60 |
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Pumas on the attack again, very narrow defence from Ireland.
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| 61 |
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Scrum now with Ireland to feed.
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| 62 |
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And Argentina continue their mounting attack fro ma few moments ago. Ireland doing well at keeping the rushing Puma bodies at bay but need to get a bit more of a footing in the game if they're to turn this scoreline round. Arg penalty now after Devin Toner's high tackle of Sanchez.
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| 63 |
26 - 20 |
Sanchez makes the penalty and becomes the to points scorer in this World Cup.
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| 65 |
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Turning into a bit of a midfield stalemate. Madigan tries the kick in an effort to try and inspire something new but it bounces into touch. Crucial period now for Ireland - need to start dictating play.
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| 67 |
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Errors creeping in as Conor Murray drops the ball at the back of the scrum. Scrum again.
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| 68 |
31 - 20 |
ARGENTINA TRY!
Fantastic speed of ball and precision in Argentina's passing as they work it fantastically from right to left. They manage to find Tuculet along the left flank who JUST about manages to floor it in time in the corner. Needed the TMO but no biggie - Argentina have another try. Can Sanchez add the extras?
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| 69 |
33 - 20 |
Sanchez - conversion
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| 70 |
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Argentina have the ball in hand again as they're looking to keep the Irish attack as far out from their white line as possible.
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| 71 |
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Scrum now, Ireland to feed. This will suit the Pumas nicely and burn up a few minutes.
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| 72 |
38 - 20 |
ARGENTINA TRY!
This is all over! Argentina's Sanchez has torn apart the Irish line with Imhoff down the left flank. No one in a green shirt could get anywhere near the duo who blitzed through.
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| 73 |
40 - 20 |
Another Pumas pen as Ireland have their hands in the ruck.
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| 75 |
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And another Argentina penalty after a high tackle pushing Sanchez into touch. Literally falling apart here.
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| 76 |
43 - 20 |
Sanchez - penalty goal
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| 77 |
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Ireland halfheartedly trying to find something from somewhere to see the game out in a positive light, but as what's been the case for the entirety of the game, they just can't. Have to give credit to the Pumas for the way they've defended. Genuinely very little rugby in their 22. Fitzgerald the biggest, and perhaps even the only Irish threat.
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| 79 |
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| 80 |
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Ireland's attack sees the game out and Argentina leap onto a loose ball before kicking it out. Ireland are out, and it's over here!
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| 80+1 |
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FULL TIME ANALYSIS
ESPN's Rob Bartlett had this to say:
"Realistically, with tiring bodies and a rising tension, the second half at the Millennium Stadium was never going to better the first. Ireland started slow in the first 40 but this time it was Argentina's turn to hesitate from the restart. Jordi Murphy's try brought the house down before another rousing rendition of Fields of Athenry filled all four corners of this coliseum. The Pumas looked to be crumbling under the pressure and Herrera was lucky not to be sent off as the infringements from blue and white racked up. However, the boot of Sanchez stayed as majestic as it has been all tournament and, following superb finishes from Tuculet and Imhoff, Argentina's fans began to party. For them, this will go down as one of their greatest World Cup victories and will no doubt be celebrated in fitting fashion. But it will also go down as a dark day for northern hemisphere rugby. "
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