Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Scotland score late win over Pumas

Scotland have beaten Argentina 19-16 in the rugby Test at Murrayfield.

Autumn International match at the BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Scotland have beaten Argentina 19-16 in the rugby Test at Murrayfield. (AAP)

A last-gasp penalty by Greig Laidlaw gave Scotland a 19-16 win over Argentina in a fierce Test match between two sides desperate to secure a place in the top eight of the rugby world rankings.

Laidlaw's kicking proved the difference as both sides sought ranking points to improve their chances of being seeded in the leading eight countries at the draw in May for the 2019 World Cup pools.

Scotland, who face Georgia next Saturday, have the Six Nations championship to come whereas Argentina's only remaining Test until the next southern hemisphere season is against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Scotland captain Laidlaw won his duel with Pumas flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez, who was playing his 50th international, despite a 67th-minute penalty hitting the post in Edinburgh.

Argentina breached the Scottish line 10 minutes into the second half when centre Matias Orlando chased and caught Juan Martin Hernandez's measured cross kick, rode through a tackle and ran round to touch down under the posts.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

But Scotland hit back within four minutes to level at 13-13 when winger Sean Maitland scored in the corner from Huw Jones's fine run and pass and scrumhalf Laidlaw converted from the touchline before a further exchange of penalties.

"The doubts weren't there from last week. We were disappointed from Australia but we have learned from the loss to the Wallabies," Laidlaw, whose side were beaten 23-22 by Australia last weekend, told the BBC.

"The boys were outstanding. To win at home there is no better feeling."

A tight first half ended 6-3 to Scotland after two Laidlaw penalties to one from Sanchez, who levelled with another kick soon after the restart.

Both sides had to pull out all the stops in defence in a tight tussle in which Argentina's indiscipline let them down when they would have not been undeserving of victory.

Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell tried twice to drop a goal in the last seven minutes, his first effort going wide and the second charged down to leave it to Laidlaw to settle the match.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world