The winger was outstanding from the kicking tee and added a second-half try for Los Pumas to record only their second-ever win over England at Twickenham.
For coach Michael Cheika, who on Friday night was coaching Lebanon in the Rugby League World Cup quarter-finals, it capped a whirlwind weekend, and continued Argentina’s resurgence this year that has also seen them claim a maiden win over the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Argentina had only previously beaten England once at Twickenham, back in 2006. And just like that day, a long-range score from a fly-half was key. Then it was Federico Todeschini, this time Santiago Carreras.
Joe Cokanasiga got over for the only try of the first half, but the second half was a different matter entirely.
Boffelli and Santiago Carreras crossed twice in the space of two minutes as Argentina seized control, only for Jack van Poortvliet to get England back into it with a try 29 seconds after coming on.
But England’s indiscipline cost them. Despite retaking the lead twice more, each time they then infringed and were punished by Boffelli.
And once Argentina hit the front with ten minutes to go, they saw the game out in style, to cap off Round 1 of the Autumn Nations Series in style.
CONDITIONS MAKE LIFE TRICKY EARLY
The rain was pouring down prior to kick-off, but after a damp opening ten minutes, the weather cleared and the sun began to emerge.
Despite that, both teams were happy to turn to the boot early and often, England getting plenty of change out of Freddie Steward’s chasing of up-and-unders.
Yet it was Argentina who struck first, a slip from Marcus Smith allowing Mateo Carreras to get to a low kick through and debutant Alex Coles eventually penalised for an off-the-ball tackle.
Boffelli slotted the penalty but England were quickly back on terms, Farrell punishing an Argentinian offside two minutes later.
When Smith strayed offside from a dangerous Argentina scrum, Boffelli put the visitors back in front.
But from there, England started to dominate territory.
A long period of extended pressure saw them get the upper hand in the scrum, and they turned that dominance into points as Cokanasiga was put into space and powered past Matias Orlando before overwhelming Juan Martin Gonzalez to get over. With Farrell’s conversion, England led 10-6.
Boffelli quickly cut that to a one-point lead after a trademark Montoya turnover, the winger making no mistake from 45 metres out on the angle.
The Argentina skipper then blotted his copybook with a late tackle that allowed Farrell to knock over his second penalty of the afternoon, immediately cancelled out by Boffelli for a Luke Cowan-Dickie offside.
But it was England who had the final say of the half, Farrell again on target after Ellis Genge earned a scrum penalty right on the stroke of half-time to make it 16-12.
PUMAS BACKLASH AFTER HALF-TIME
If England finished the first half on top, the opposite was true of the start of the second. A first scrum penalty in their favour was followed by a monster kick for touch from Boffelli. And the winger was on the end of a stunning move from the resulting lineout. It was a wonderful move as Montoya peeled off a potential maul before feeding Gonzalo Bertranou. The scrum-half spread the ball wide for Matias Moroni, who popped it out the back for Santiago Carreras to feed Boffelli, who raced over in the corner.
He could not convert but was on target two minutes later when Santiago Carreras went from creator to scorer. Thomas Gallo read England’s attempts to play out the back and forced Farrell into a rushed pass.
That went behind Billy Vunipola and was scooped up by the fly-half, who started his career on the wing.
He showed that pace to stay clear of Steward and get over. Boffelli converted to make it 24-16.
England needed a change, and the introduction of Van Poortvliet provided it. Spotting a gap around the fringe of a ruck, he pounced and sprinted 30 metres to the home side back into it.
DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE, DISCIPLINE
What followed was a succession of penalties one way and then the other. Farrell gave England the lead, only for Boffelli to return the favour.
History repeated itself a few minutes later as Boffelli gave Argentina a 30-29 lead with ten minutes remaining.
Argentina seemed to have got the upper hand in the scrum, but twice turned down kickable shots at goal to kick for touch as the clock ticked down.
Second time around, England were able to counter the maul, Maro Itoje forcing the turnover. That left England with a scrum on their own line and with 90 seconds left, they had it all to do. They worked their way up to halfway but a knock-on gave possession back to Argentina, who saw on the final seconds and cleared into touch to seal a magical success.
