England have claimed victory in their Test series against Argentina, winning 22-17 in the second game in San Juan on Saturday night. In La Plata last week, 100-cap George Ford inspired England to an impressive win and he lead by example once again, getting the visitors back on level terms early in the second half before Jack van Poortvliet scored a try with seconds left on the clock to secure a 2-0 series win.
Only once before had the two sides drawn a Test match. A record that has stood for 44 years was on the verge of being broken until replacements Guy Pepper and van Poortvliet combined to great effect. Argentina had defended resolutely throughout the second half, but just couldn’t hold on for a draw as their long wait for a win over England on home soil continues.
However, heading into today’s meeting, head coach Steve Borthwick lost two more key players. Henry Slade was ruled out through injury and Jamie George, a few hours before kick-off, was drafted into the British and Irish Lions squad ahead of the upcoming first test against Australia, thus leaving Ford to lead the side to victory before heading onto the US. Follow all the action back with Standard Sport's dedicated blog!
Argentina vs England latest news
- TRY! Van Poortvliet wins the series for England
- PENALTY! Ford levels it up
- TRY! Argentina re-take lead just before the break
- TRY! England retake lead through Stewart and Ford
- TRY! Cinti gives Argentina the lead
- PENALTY! Carreras puts hosts on the board
- TRY! Atkinson gives England a dream start
FULL-TIME
22:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEngland get the win, 2-0 in the series.
Jack Van Poortvliet the hero right at the end.
TRY! Argentina 17-22 England
22:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne79 min: That’ll do it!
Jack Van Poortvliet goes over with seconds left on the clock.
Conversion missed.
Argentina 17-17 England
22:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne77 min: As things stands, England are winning the series. But 2-0 overall would be a lot sweeter!
Argentina 17-17 England
22:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: Superb turnover from Argentina just as England were looking threatening.
Entering make-or-break period.
Argentina 17-17 England
22:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: Rare second half forward foray from Argentina but Stewart is on hand to mop things up for England.
Argentina 17-17 England
22:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: Mendy is down receiving treatment, no foul play is the message communicated to the referee.
Argentina 17-17 England
22:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: It has been some defensive effort from Argentina in the second half. But can they maintain it for the final nine minutes?
Argentina 17-17 England
22:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Good news for Argentina as Matera's yellow card will not be upgraded. He is back on for the final 10 minutes.
Argentina 17-17 England
22:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: TR...NOOO
England think they have gone ahead but the referee spots a knock on and Jack van Poortvliet’s try will not count.
Argentina 17-17 England
22:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne65 min: Lovely footwork from Pepper, Ford then kicks the ball into the corner and England can keep the pressure on.
Still three more minutes until Argentina are back up to 15.
Argentina 17-17 England
22:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: You get the impression Argentina will need the crowd to see out the next six minutes without Matera!
Argentina 17-17 England
22:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: Matera goes to the sin-bin!
Brave call from the referee, big chance for England now.
Argentina 17-17 England
22:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne57 min: Langdon and Pepper are on for England.
PENALTY! Argentina 17-17 England
22:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: George Ford levels it up with a penalty.
Argentina 17-14 England
21:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne50 min: It's all a bit hectic at the moment, but Argentina find a way to survive. All of the Rugby so far this half as been played in the hosts’ end.
Argentina 17-14 England
21:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: Theo Dan limps off and is replaced by Curtis Langdon.
Argentina 17-14 England
21:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne48 min: Theo Dan is down and his night could be over.
On the pitch, Argentina are defending so strongly.
Argentina 17-14 England
21:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Stewart looks to be back to full health.
Argentina 17-14 England
21:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: After giving away a second penalty in two minutes, Argentina prop Francisco Gomez Kodela is immediately replaced.
Concern for England as Stewart is down and requires treatment.
Argentina 17-14 England
21:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: Incredible scenes as Rubiolo loses his shirt in the scrum and there’s no time to retrieve it.
Ball eventually is booted out of play and Rubiolo is able to get his shirt back on.
Good start to the second half by England.
Second half
21:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in San Juan!
Argentina 17-14 England
21:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere come the players for the second half.
Argentina 17-14 England
21:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSantiago Carreras and George Ford have been perfect with their kicking tonight. 3/3 and 2/2 respectively in the opening 40.
Argentina 17-14 England
21:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEngland will wonder how they are not winning. A slight lapse in concentration right at the end of the first-half has proven costly.
Still a long way to go, mind.
Half-time!
21:32 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnd there’s the break!
TRY! Argentina 17-14 England
21:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: England get themselves in a terrible mess as Ignacio Mendy takes advantage of a lucky bounce before Santiago Carreras converts to give Argentina the lead.
Argentina 10-14 England
21:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne38 min: England almost extend their lead as Freddie Steward runs down the right and kicks in behind for Tom Roebuck to chase.
However, the bounce beats him.
TRY! Argentina 10-14 England
21:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne34 min: Great switch of play by England and Freddie Steward crosses the line.
George Ford converts and the visitors are back in front.
Argentina 10-7 England
21:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: Good news for England as Curry's yellow card will not be upgraded. He is back on.
England back up to 14.
Argentina 10-7 England
21:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne30 min: Superb carry from Willis as England make inroads up the pitch.
CONVERSION! Argentina 10-7 England
21:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne27 min: Santiago Carreras has his shooting boots on today as he converts to put the hosts ahead by three.
TRY! Argentina 8-7 England
21:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne25 min: England’s resistance is broken as Lucio Cinti finds a hole in the defence to put Argentina in the lead.
Argentina 3-7 England
21:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 min: England are a man down but they are defending oh so resolutely. Pumas certainly getting frustrated as they trtu to make the advantage count.
Chance as Carreras finds space but he ignores the pass to his left and loses possession.
Huge let-off for England.
Argentina 3-7 England
21:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne21 min: Same story as last weekend with England going down to 14, but can Argentina take advantage this time?
Argentina 3-7 England
21:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne20 min: England are down to 14 as Ben Curry is shown a yellow card following a review for foul play.
Curry was high in the challenge, shoulder to head.
Argentina 3-7 England
21:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne19 min: Ford tries to offload but just misses the connection. Never mind, the referee was playing advantage and England have the ball back.
Argentina 3-7 England
21:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne18 min: The referee finds fault with England’s method and the ball is back with Argentina, very good kick from Carreras to get the hosts up the pitch.
Argentina 3-7 England
20:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 min: Another mistake by Argentina as the ball is knocked forward. Big opportunity for England to increase their lead.
Argentina 3-7 England
20:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: Carreras tries to get Argentina up the pitch but England regain possession and push forward themselves.
PENALTY! Argentina 3-7 England
20:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: England give away a cheap penalty and Santiago Carreras converts.
Argentina back to within four.
Argentina 0-7 England
20:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne6 min: Ford does the rest. Great start for England.
TRY! Argentina 0-5 England | Seb Atkinson '5
20:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: What a start for England!
Seb Atkinson goes over and England are ahead early.
Argentina 0-0 England
20:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne3 min: A slight misjudgement from England full-back Freddie Steward as he overhits his kick through and it goes dead.
Other than that, it has been an even start.
KICK-OFF!
20:43 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in San Juan.
England anthem
20:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIn comparision, the England national anthem was very short and sweet.
Argentina anthem
20:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFor the second successive week, we are treated to a long, and very impressive, rendition of the Argentina national anthem.
Here we go!
20:34 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere come the players!
Weather update
20:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIt’s a nice evening in San Juan. Temperatures are currently around 19C at 4pm local time.
Not long now!
20:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLess than 20 minutes until we get underway at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario!
England dressing room
20:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBehind the scenes at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario as Luke Northmore’s shirt hangs in the England dressing room ahead of kick-off.
A special day for @LukeNorthmore 🌹#ARGvENG pic.twitter.com/uYDCgsqD91
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 12, 2025
Team news reminder
20:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is a reminder of tonight’s lineups...
Argentina XV: Elizalde; Moroni, Cinti, Piccardo, Mendy; S Carreras, Benitez Cruz; Gallo, Montoya (c), Kodela; Petti, Rubiolo; S Grondona, Gonzalez, Matera
Replacements: Bernasconi, Vivas, Delgado, Paulos, Isa, B Grondona, Moyano, Roger
England XV: Steward; Roebuck, Northmore, S Atkinson, Muir; Ford (c), Spencer; Baxter, Dan, Heyes; Ewels, Coles; B Curry, Underhill, T Willis
Replacements: Langdon, Rodd, Opoku-Fordjour, Cunningham-South, Pepper, Dombrandt, Van Poortvliet, Murley
Summer plan
20:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAfter facing Argentina for a second time, England will head to Washington, D.C., to meet the United States national side at Audi Field.
Player arrivals
19:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGeorge Ford and Cadan Murley have arrived at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario ahead of the Second Test against Argentina.
One hour to go
19:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneKick off in the Second Test is in just under one hour!
Steve Borthwick speaks
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne"Saturday's match in San Juan is another great challenge.
"The players have trained with real focus and intensity this week, determined to keep improving in every area.
"We're expecting a tactical battle as well as a tough, physical contest, and everyone is excited for what should be a fantastic Test match."
Luke Northmore debut
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLuke Northmore will make his England debut tonight.
A huge moment for the Harlequins centre.
Don't miss this one
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneDon't miss this one!#ARGvENG pic.twitter.com/gFaQK9YY1R
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 12, 2025
Last time out
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEngland produced a stunning start to their Test series against Argentina, winning 35-12 in La Plata in a performance inspired by 100-cap George Ford.
The tourists are without 13 first-choice players due to the ongoing British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, and arrived in La Plata with most predicting another big win for the Pumas just two weeks on from their win over Andy Farrell’s side in Dublin.
But Argentina failed to score any points in the first half littered mistakes in the face off an impressive rearguard display from the visitors.
England lineup
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEngland XV: Steward; Roebuck, Northmore, S Atkinson, Muir; Ford (c), Spencer; Baxter, Dan, Heyes; Ewels, Coles; B Curry, Underhill, T Willis
Replacements: Langdon, Rodd, Opoku-Fordjour, Cunningham-South, Pepper, Dombrandt, Van Poortvliet, Murley
Argentina lineup
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArgentina XV: Elizalde; Moroni, Cinti, Piccardo, Mendy; S Carreras, Benitez Cruz; Gallo, Montoya (c), Kodela; Petti, Rubiolo; S Grondona, Gonzalez, Matera
Replacements: Bernasconi, Vivas, Delgado, Paulos, Isa, B Grondona, Moyano, Roger
Late change
18:46 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJamie George has been quickly drafted into the British and Irish Lions squad ahead of the upcoming First Test against Australia.
The Saracens front-row stalwart - one of the headline omissions from the original 38-man touring party - will head to Brisbane as cover for fellow England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who was stretchered off with a head injury wearing a protective brace during the first half of Saturday’s 48-0 win over an AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide.
George will now play no part against Argentina as he gets ready to head to Brisbane, with Saracens team-mate Theo Dan starting at hooker instead and Northampton’s Curtis Langdon added to the bench by Steve Borthwick as he prepares to earn only his third senior international cap.
George will also be absent as England then head to Washington D.C. for a one-off match against the USA at Audi Field next weekend.
Argentina vs England match odds
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArgentina to win: 5/6
England to win: 1/1
Draw: 18/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Argentina vs England head to head (h2h) history and results
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe win in the First Test was England’s third in a row against Argentina, a run that also includes two matches at the 2023 World Cup - one in the pool stage and the bronze final.
They have won 13 of the last 14 meetings between the sides overall since 2009, including two summer Tests in Argentina in 2017.
The Pumas won for the first time at Twickenham for 16 years in the autumn of 2022 thanks largely to 25 points from the boot of Emiliano Boffelli.
Argentina wins: 5
England wins: 22
Draws: 1
Score prediction
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThere were so many bright moments and bright performances that should have Steve Borthwick’s side soaring with confidence that they can repeat the job this weekend before heading on to the US.
Argentina - ranked one place ahead of England by World Rugby in fifth - were massively underwhelming and remain an inconsistent game-to-game proposition despite their propensity for pulling off huge results, having toppled all of the Lions, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and France over the last year.
They could be excellent or they could be disappointing again in San Juan, it’s really tough to know. But we’re backing England to edge a closer game this time around.
England to win, by seven points.
England team news
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAfter such an impressive First Test showing, Borthwick had made just one injury-enforced change to the England team - who remain without the suspended Immanuel Feyi-Waboso - in San Juan.
Henry Slade will play no further part this summer due to a hand issue, meaning Harlequins’ Luke Northmore will make his international debut at outside centre in an inexperienced pairing alongside Seb Atkinson, who earned his first official cap last week after also featuring against a France XV at Twickenham last month.
Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall and Elliot Daly are all out injured, the latter while with the Lions. Max Ojomoh and Oscar Beard are the other uncapped centres in the current squad.
Theo Dan has now replaced George at hooker, with Curtis Langdon added to the bench.
Argentina team news
18:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneArgentina coach Felipe Contepomi has made seven changes from La Plata, with Matias Moroni and Ignacio Mendy coming in out wide in place of Rodrigo Isgro and Santiago Cordero.
Simon Benitez Cruz replaces Gonzalo Bertranou at scrum-half, while Thomas Gallo and Francisco Gomez Kodela are the starting props, taking over from Mayco Vivas and Pedro Delgado.
Guido Petti returns to replace Lucas Paulos in the second row, with Matera switching from blindside flanker to number eight for a 111th cap that will see him replace former hooker Agustin Creevy as Argentina’s leading all-time appearance maker.
Santiago Grondona comes in at 6 as Juan Martin Gonzalez keeps his place at openside and Facundo Isa moves to replacement status, with Benjamin Grondona and Ramiro Moyano coming onto the bench as Francisco Coria Marchetti and Joaquin Moro make way despite a move from 5-3 to 6-2. The Pumas are captained by departing Leicester hooker Julian Montoya.
How to watch Argentina vs England
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game is available to watch live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage beginning at 7:40pm BST ahead of an 8:40pm kick-off.
Live stream: Those with a Sky Sports subscription can also view the match live online via the Sky Go app. It can also be streamed with NOW.
Welcome
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGood evening and welcome to the Standard’s LIVE coverage of the clash between Argentina and England in San Juan!
Once again, it is an experimental England side who are concluding the first of a three-Test tour tonight, and they face the same team they beat seven days ago.
Can Steve Borthwick’s side make it back-to-back wins?
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8.40pm BST from the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario. Stick with us!
