Wales 17 Argentina 29: Dragons crash out of Rugby World Cup after sloppy penalties gift Pumas route into semi-finals
WALES’ numbers fell apart and so did their World Cup dream as they were floored by the Pumas.
Warren Gatland’s men looked on course for the last four when Dan Biggar scored the opening try and kicked them 10 points clear.
But on another afternoon of controversial TMO calls – not least when Argentine lock Guido Pagadizabal escaped sanction for a horrible shoulder-hit on Nick Tompkins – Wales capitulated.
Four penalties from Emiliano Boffelli, one with the last kick of the first half after Josh Adams got away with a hit on scrum half Tomas Cubelli and two straight after the restart, put Argentina in front.
That wiped out the brilliance of the Biggar opener, after terrific work by George North and Gareth Davies.
Even so, when Davies’ replacement Tomos Williams scampered over from the back of a ruck, Wales had regained the lead.
Yet they then fell off the cliff in spectacular fashion, although there was disbelief when replacement ref Karl Dickson – on for hobbling Jaco Peyper – let Pagadizabal off.
That gave Argentina the chance to lay siege to the Welsh line, with prop Joel Sclavi then burrowing over and Boffelli kicking his side back in front with 12 minutes to go.
Wales went close when Rio Dyer broke into the 22 but took the wrong option with runners either side of him, before Louis Rees-Zammit was in touch as he dived for the corner.
But with time running out, the planned loop move between Williams and Sam Costelow broke down.
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
Nicolas Sanchez could not believe his luck to see the ball in his hands and he ran in from half way with Wales just watching him go.
There was no way back, Sanchez sealing the deal with another penalty on the final whistle.
Wales in despair, Argentina in sheer joy.