Argentina etched their name into rugby history with a momentous 29-23 victory over New Zealand in Buenos Aires, securing their first ever home triumph over the All Blacks after four decades of trying. The Rugby Championship clash was as fierce as it was emotional, with the Pumas showing discipline, resilience, and belief to overcome their long-standing rivals.
The hosts had entered the contest under pressure, having lost all 15 previous home Tests against the All Blacks since 1985. But spurred on by a passionate crowd at Estadio Vélez Sarsfield, Argentina played with intensity from the opening whistle. Their determination shone through in a hard-fought battle where they matched New Zealand physically and capitalized on key opportunities.
Argentina struck first through a penalty before New Zealand responded with tries from Billy Proctor and Fletcher Newell during a dominant spell. However, momentum shifted when the visitors were reduced to 13 men following two yellow cards late in the first half. The Pumas seized their chance, drawing level with a try from flanker Juan Martín González to head into the break at 13-all.
In the second half, replacement fly-half Santiago Carreras proved pivotal. His assured kicking yielded three penalties that pushed Argentina into a commanding lead. The highlight came when scrum-half Gonzalo García crossed the tryline, capping off a powerful surge from Pablo Matera that extended the advantage to 13 points.
Although New Zealand rallied through a maul try by Samisoni Taukei’aho and a late penalty to narrow the gap, their hopes were undone by indiscipline, with a third yellow card leaving them exposed. The Pumas, showing maturity and composure, managed the closing stages superbly to seal the historic result.
Captain Julián Montoya hailed the performance as a triumph of belief and collective spirit, emphasizing how the team had grown in confidence and resilience over the past few years. For Argentina, the win was more than just a Rugby Championship upset—it was the culmination of years of hard work and a powerful statement of their standing in world rugby.
The defeat leaves New Zealand reflecting on their errors as they prepare for a critical clash against South Africa at Eden Park, where they will defend an unbeaten home record stretching back more than three decades. Meanwhile, Argentina’s famous victory will be celebrated as a defining milestone in their rugby journey.