In new head coach Steve Tandy's first game in charge, Argentina struck early, tighthead prop Lucio Sordoni Delgado crashing over from close range after sustained pressure, with fly-half Santiago Carreras converting for 7-0. Moments later, a sweeping counter-attack doubled the lead: flanker Juan Martín González snaffled a loose ball and released left wing Mateo Carreras, whose chip ahead was gathered by fly-half Gerónimo Prisciantelli for a second try. Carreras added the extras for 14-0.
Wales responded through their ever-exciting scrum-half Tomos Williams, finishing a flowing move sparked by centre Max Llewellyn and captain Jac Morgan. Fly-half Dan Edwards converted, and soon after hooker Dewi Lake powered over from a short pass by Williams to level at 14-14.
Parity was short-lived. Carreras nudged Argentina ahead with a penalty before Wales lost Ben Thomas to the sin-bin for appearing to lash out at Pablo Matera with his boot. From the resulting pressure, scrum-half Benítez Cruz dummied and darted over, Carreras converting for 24-14. Then came a moment of brilliance: Matera soared to claim the restart, burst through midfield, and launched a pinpoint kick for Mateo Carreras to chase and score. Carreras’ conversion made it 31-14 at the break.
Argentina resumed with intent. With a penalty advantage, Prisciantelli’s crossfield kick found right wing Bautista Delguy, who scored to extend the lead to 38-14. Wales’ woes deepened as Williams was shown yellow for a cynical off-the-ball tackle.
Captain Morgan - Wales' standout throughout - briefly lifted Welsh hopes, powering over from a quick tap for his side’s third try, but left the field injured in the action of doing so - a major concern for Tandy. Replacement fly-half Jarrod Evans converted to make it 21-38.
Argentina’s response was swift and decisive. Prisciantelli inexplicably intercepted a flat Welsh pass to score his second, stretching the lead to 45-21. Wales rallied late, with fullback Blair Murray finishing after sustained pressure, replacement Jarrod Evans converting for 28-45.
But the Pumas had the final word: after relentless phases, back-row Santiago Grondona picked and drove over to hit the 50-point mark, sealing a comprehensive 52-28 victory.
Next up for these two teams: Wales v Japan (15 Nov), Scotland v Argentina (16 Nov).
⭐️ Quilter Player of the Series:
Gerónimo Prisciantelli (ARG)
Tries: 2
Assists: 2
Carries: 11
Passes: 30
Offloads: 2
💬 Reaction: Dewi Lake (WAL)
"It was a bit 50-50, to be honest. We've shown a bit of what the new narrative will bring; a couple of times we looked really good in attack, but a few lapses of concentration against a team like this, they're going to punish you. We've had a lot to learn over the last couple of weeks, but that's not an excuse.
(On Jac Morgan's injury) "I'm just gutted for him, he's a friend to me and a leaderfor this team - it's a loss for us all, but more than anything we just hope he's okay."