Having a statue in your honour is a mixed bag if you're a legendary soccer player. Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, and Paulo Dybala were among the 30 players named to Argentina's preliminary squad on Friday. "The consistency of performance is always key to success, and I also believe Argentina have some real game-breakers - players such as Tuculet, Imhoff, Cordero. Ireland went into Sunday's match without influential performers Paul O'Connell, Johnny Sexton, Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien and Jared Payne - but despite so many key absences they showed huge character to battle their way back into the contest. The match was played in Montevideo, Uruguay in January 1942. The biggest win in the history of Argentinean football is a 12-0 victory of Ecuador. The Argentina fly half then kicked a drop goal before halftime to add to his try, three conversions and a penalty in the first 40 minutes. Crowd: 27,460, Get 3 months free Sport HD + Entertainment on a 12 month plan and watch the 2018 Bledisloe Cup & 2018 Rugby Championship with no ad-breaks during play. Don't have an account? The Pumas didn’t score again after Moyano’s touchdown but they didn’t need to as the defence held up. Referee: Angus Gardner. After Imhoff's score, the impeccable Nicolas Sanchez struck his third successful kick to increase Argentina's advantage to 17-0 with less than 15 minutes played. With Rory Best becoming increasingly influential in the breakdown exchanges, Ireland at one point looked to have enough momentum - as well as vociferous support from the Irish fans inside the stadium - to go all the way into the last four. A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites. FIFA has imposed conditions on the release of players for CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers which are due to get under way next week amid concerns. Argentina's early scoring blitz helped them dash Ireland's hopes of earning a first World Cup semi-final spot. Sanchez darted through a shambolic South Africa defence soon after lock Eben Etzebeth was sent to the sin bin for a ruck infringement on the Boks’ line. Ireland: Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney; Ian Madigan, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Iain Henderson; Jordi Murphy, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip. However, the Irish could not capitalise on two good chances in the third quarter - the first as intense pressure after 48 minutes failed to yield any points before Ian Madigan missed a long-range penalty chance which would have levelled the contest on 60 minutes. Argentina: Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff, Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Marcos Ayerza, Agustin Creevy, Ramiro Herrera, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Leonardo Senatore. Former Real Madrid and Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain will join the MLS side co-owned by David Beckham as a designated player. Lionel Messi can play in Argentina's opening World Cup qualifier next month because the statute of limitations has run out on his ban. BBC pundit and 2003 World Cup winner Matt Dawson: "The consistency of performance is always key to success, and I also believe Argentina have some real game-breakers - players such as Tuculet, Imhoff, Cordero. Argentina led 27-7 at halftime and 32-7 early in the second half, despite South Africa captain Siya Kolisi having claimed the game’s first try. Boca Juniors have isolated their entire squad after coronavirus testing revealed an "outbreak" of COVID-19, the club confirmed on Monday. The loss was a blow for South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus, who is also new in the job after being given the task of reviving the two-time World Cup winner following a dire two years under Allister Coetzee. The record for biggest winning margin is held by Australia, who hammered Namibia 142-0 in Adelaide in 2003. here. It was also a first triumph this year for the Pumas, who lost three straight home games in June, a run that saw the end of former coach Daniel Hourcade and gave former Argentina hooker Ledesma his chance. Top scorers Sorry we couldn't find a match for that, please try again, Join the conversation, you are commenting as, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -, Secret emails expose Joe Biden’s real Ukraine dealings, Swap no-one wants: Incredible Moylan contract revelation, Bennett breaks silence on ‘handshake deal’ with Gould. Argentina might be traditionally known as a powerful side that puts their emphasis on their forward play, but they stunned Ireland by playing with pace and width from the first whistle. Lionel Messi has told Barcelona that he wants to leave the club this summer, various sources have confirmed to ESPN. A Jordi Murphy touchdown reduced the gap to three points but late tries from Joaquin Tuculet and Imhoff sealed a deserved Argentina win. This is also known as Online Behavioural Advertising. Argentina boosted by Messi and Ocampos in World Cup qualifying opener. As the devastated Irish left the field at the final whistle, there were huge and emotional celebrations from Pumas, who can look forward to their second World Cup semi-final after reaching the same stage in 2007. Mauricio Pochettino has been out of a job since leaving Spurs in November 2019 after five years at the helm. Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman has tested positive for COVID-19 for a fifth time, according to ESPN Mexico sources. He then picked up his second four minutes later after the Pumas gained momentum with a powerful scrum. It can be either a life-affirming blessing or a hideous curse. Argentina led by 10 points at the break - but another Fitzgerald break set up flanker Murphy's score after half-time as Ireland cut the margin to 23-20. Re-live the action from the Millennium Stadium. Argentina have now beaten Ireland in three of the four World Cup meetings between the sides, The 43 points scored by Argentina was the joint most Ireland have conceded in a Rugby World Cup game (v New Zealand, 1995 & v France, 2003), Nicolas Sanchez scored 23 points to become the top point scorer in the tournament so far (74); only once has Sanchez scored more in a single Test for the Pumas (25 v Tonga), Juan Imhoff scored two tries to become the first Argentina player to score five tries in a single Rugby World Cup tournament. SIGN UP NOW >, To join the conversation, please log in. Argentina won their first World Cup qualifier against Ecuador and the key factor was the introduction of Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos. Fans of Argentine club Newell's Old Boys made their case to sign Lionel Messi on Thursday by taking to the streets of his native Rosario. "They have probably learned from playing in Europe and playing in the Rugby Championship. Nothing seemed to be going right for the Irish and Tommy Bowe went off with an apparent knee injury. The biggest defeat the side has ever suffered is 6-1 on two occasions; against Czechoslovakia in June 1958 and against Bolivia in April 2009. A late goal from Joaquin Correa helped Argentina come from behind to beat Bolivia 2-1 on Tuesday and maintain their 100% record in qualifying. It's crunch time for this year's Copa Libertadores, with the governments of Argentina and Uruguay to decide on a proposal from CONMEBOL on Tuesday. Delguy grabbed the home side’s first try in the 19th minute after a break by fullback Emiliano Boffelli. Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney; Ian Madigan, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Iain Henderson; Jordi Murphy, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip. Friday's Europa League final against Sevilla is another chance for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez to burnish his growing reputation. Can Martinez surpass Milito's success at Inter Milan? Argentina won again in 1986, through a 3–2 victory over West Germany, and a tournament campaign led by Diego Maradona. Two-try hero Imhoff, Cordero, old stager Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and, in fairness, several other Pumas could have been contenders for the man of the match award, but Sanchez kicked 23 of Argentina's points and got the best out of his fellow backs. La Selección (national team), also known as the La Albiceleste, has appeared in five World Cup finals, including the first final in 1930, which they lost 4–2 to Uruguay.Argentina won in their next final appearance in 1978, beating the Netherlands at extra time, 3–1. They've got a Super 15 franchise too, so this is just the beginning for Argentina.". Argentina's Los Pumas Marcos Kremer (C) vies for the ball with South Africa's Springboks. South America this week underlined its commitment to begin the long road to the 2022 World Cup next month. Luke Fitzgerald's terrific score helped cut the margin to 20-10 by the break. Argentina led by 10 points at the break - but another Fitzgerald break set up flanker Murphy's score after half-time as Ireland cut the margin to 23-20. Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata coach Diego Maradona has hit out at everyone who mocked him for wearing an astronaut-like face shield. Argentina have failed to win either of their opening two group stage matches for the first time since 1974. The final score of 3–1 – Argentina only scoring in the last minute – could have been much higher had Brazil centre-forward Serginho not wasted a series of near-certain scoring opportunities. However, his replacement Fitzgerald gave the Six Nations champions hope as he produced a superb reply on 26 minutes, punishing a loose Cordero kick as he burst past Tuculet following good work by Conor Murray and Robbie Henshaw. 2-0-0, 2nd in FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CONMEBOL, Lautaro Martinez 'gave life' Argentina lacked vs. Bolivia (1:00), Argentina have 'more questions than answers' despite win (1:07), Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images, Julian Finney - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images, CONMEBOL's qualifying format creates an 'uneven field' (0:52), Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images, Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images, Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, QUIQUE GARCIA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock. Ledesma started with a loss in South Africa last weekend but turned it around in Mendoza, with Argentina much stronger than the Boks upfront, more physical at the breakdown, and far more incisive with its attacks. Read about our approach to external linking. Sanchez and Argentina replied convincingly. Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Jordi McGrath, Nathan White, Donnacha Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Eoin Reddan, Paddy Jackson, Luke Fitzgerald.