day the Cougars In it Dubai Sevens It was marked by a series of negative results that kept them out of title contention and put them in the fight for fifth place. The Argentine national team is a two-time league champion World Rugby Sevens Circuit, They faced a tournament with a revamped format, where the number of participants was reduced from 12 to 8, increasing the demand for each match.
Los Pumas 7’s debut in the competition did not go as expected. In the first match, the Argentine national team advanced against Fiji thanks to attempts from it Santino Zangara and Marcos MonetaPartial creation 12-0. However, the island team responded with two conquests View Naduvalu And one of Jeremiah MattanaThe first half ended with a 19-12 lead.
In the second half, Fiji increased their lead with a try George Bossdespite the beginner Sebastian Dubuque Discounted for Argentinians. In the last match, the Argentines, with their numerical superiority, had the opportunity to equalize the score, but the peripheral team regained the ball and decided the final result. 26-19.
*Summary of the match between Argentina and France.
The second match of the day was between Los Pumas 7 and France, in a match that became unfavorable from the start. The French team opened the scoring with an attempt from Jordan Sifo After recovering the ball. Administrative errors limited Argentina’s ability to respond, and Cillian Bouzeljois The gap was widened in favor of the Gauls.
The only Argentine attempt was a work Santiago Vera FieldWho found space in the middle of the opponent’s defence. Before the break, France added two new conquests, one of which Jordan Sifo And the last of Antoine ZigdarThe first half ended strongly 26-7.
In the second half, French dominance was evident with a series of five attempts scored Jordan Sifo, Andy Timo (on two occasions), Simon Desert and Ali Dabowhich left the scoreboard bulging 59-7. This result left the Argentines in a compromise position within the group.
Qualification to the next round depended on an unexpected set of results, but France won it 24-19 around Fiji Air This ended up eliminating any possibility of progress for the South American team, which played its third match and was already eliminated.
Absence of two references Santiago Marie – He is still suspended due to the previous season’s penalty – and Lautaro Bazan Velezwho was ruled out at the last minute due to back pain, highlighted the context of substitution in the team. In addition to newcomer Dubuc, they also had their debut Eliseo Morales, Martiniano Arrieta, Valentin Maldonado and Juan Patricio PatacThe latter was added urgently after the departure of Bazan Velez.
In their third appearance, Los Pumas showed clear improvement and started the match against South Africa with determination. Marcos Moneta Registration opened, and shortly after, Santiago Marie Extended the lead after great play Luciano GonzalezWho broke the defense and helped opinion For him 12-0 partial.
In the second half, Blitzkrieg They reacted and were able to turn the result around with attempts Ronald Brown and Xander Reindersput 14-12 on top. However, the decisive intervention before Juan Patricio Patac It returned the advantage to the Argentines, who knew how to resist pressure and achieved their first victory this season with a score of 19-14.
After this victory, the team led by Santiago Gomez Cora was able to occupy third place in the group and is preparing for the confrontation. Spain In the semi-finals for fifth place, a match scheduled for Sunday at 4:32 (Argentine time).
On the other hand, it will be the semi-finals for gold France and Australia At 7:06 am New Zealand – Fiji At 7:28. The final will always take place at 1:11 pm Argentine time.