Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan remained philosophical after his side were dumped out of the Rugby World Cup by Argentina.

The Pumas claimed a 30-15 victory at Parc des Princes to finish top of Pool D and book a date with Scotland in Paris tomorrow week.

The defeat capped a miserable tournament for the Irish, who failed to live up to their pre-tournament billing as one of the leading challengers to favourites New Zealand, who will meet France in the last eight after they were forced to settle for second place in the group.

"They defended very well,'' O'Sullivan told ITV 1. "They kicked a lot of ball deep, we tried to mix between kicking it back and running back and a lot of times we got ourselves into trouble.

"We needed to score four tries today, we gave it out best shot but we just couldn't get enough field position to make it happen for us.

"I'm disappointed for the boys, they tried their guts out but it wasn't to be in the end. It's been a tough World Cup for us, it's not been for the want of trying but that's the way it goes.''

Skipper Brian O'Driscoll, who went over for one of two Irish tries along with Geordan Murphy, admitted his side had come up against formidable opponents.

"In parts we played some great rugby today, we tried to go out and play. It was difficult, we were playing against a team that refuses to play in their own half,'' he said.

"They played a good kicking game, (Juan Martin) Hernandez has a good boot on him. They controlled it well in fairness , they are a difficult brand to play against, particularly when you have to chase the four tries.''

Hernandez dropped three goals and centre Felipe Contepomi kicked 11 points as unbeaten Argentina controlled the game, with wings Lucas Borges and Horacio Agulla claiming touchdowns.