Wales fail to build on strong start in defeat to Argentina

Nations Championship - Argentina 35-21 Wales: Los Pumas bounce back as Wales fail to build on strong start

Argentina responded to their home loss against Scotland last weekend by comfortably defeating Wales in the Nations Championship; visitors outscored by five tries to three; Wales travel to South Africa to face world champions next Saturday

Last Updated: 11/07/26 11:07pm

Wales failed to build on a strong start as Argentina ran out comfortable 35-21 winners in their Nations Championship encounter in San Juan.

An early try from Dewi Lake gave Steve Tandy's side an early lead but the Pumas quickly responded with the first two of their five tries.

Rhys Carre pulled Wales back level but three more tries in a 13-minute spell either side of half-time gave the hosts a commanding lead before Ben Warren's consolation.

Jordan breaks All Blacks try-scoring record in win over Italy

Nations Championship: All you need to know about rugby's new-look tournament

Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract

Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want

Sam Costelow converted all three of Wales' tries but Argentina, for whom Joaquin Oviedo starred with two touchdowns, deserved their victory as they bounced back impressively from defeat to Scotland.

They controlled the game for long periods with further scores for Justo Piccardo, Marcos Kremer and Santiago Carreras while 10 points came via the boot of Tomas Albornoz.

Wales, buoyed by last week's win over Fiji, made a superb start as Lake drove over in the fourth minute but his effort was quickly cancelled out as Oviedo finished off an Argentina break two minutes later.

The Pumas took the lead for the first time through Piccardo but his effort owed much to the brilliance of Bautista Delguy, who caught a high ball and offloaded in one motion.

Wales thought they had replied when Jac Morgan forced his way over amid a crowd of bodies but his effort was ruled out after a long review for a ruck infringement.

It mattered little as the visitors scored from their next possession with Carre crashing over from close range to level the scores.

Argentina turned up the heat with two more tries to lead 28-14 at half-time.

Kremer drove over before Carreras finished off a more flowing attack after a sustained spell of pressure.

The hosts took a firm grip on proceedings after the restart as Piccardo sent the supporting No 8 Oviedo over for his second of the contest.

Wales refused to give up and gave themselves a glimmer of hope as prop Warren found space to touch down but Argentina comfortably saw out the closing stages.

What's next?

Argentina will host England for their third Nations Championship fixture at Estadio Unico in Santiago del Estero on Saturday July 18 (8.10pm kick-off).

Wales will travel to South Africa for their third Test of the summer, also on Saturday July 18, at Kings Park Stadium in Durban (4.40pm kick-off).

2026 Nations Championship summer fixtures - all kick-off times BST

July 4

New Zealand 34-32 France

Japan 27-10 Italy

Australia 31-33 Ireland

Fiji 24-39 Wales

South Africa 45-21 England

Argentina 38-47 Scotland

July 11

New Zealand 47-17 Italy

Australia 26-42 France

Japan 20-36 Ireland

Fiji 8-73 England

South Africa 42-28 Scotland

Argentina 35-21 Wales

July 18

New Zealand vs Ireland (8.10am)

Japan vs France (9.40am)

Australia vs Italy (11.10am)

Fiji vs Scotland (2.10pm)

South Africa vs Wales (4.40pm)

Argentina vs England (8.10pm)