British & Irish Lions Edge Past Argentina in Thrilling Warm-Up Clash
What a night it was at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin! The British & Irish Lions faced Argentina in their only warm-up match before heading off to Australia, and if this clash was anything to go by, we're in for an electric tour. The atmosphere was buzzing from the get-go, with chants of “LIONS! LIONS!” ringing out just seconds after kick-off. But make no mistake—Argentina came to play.
The first half was a real eye-opener. The Pumas were sharp, physical, and clinical when it mattered. Ignacio Mendy and Tomás Albornoz ran in two well-taken tries, and with three additional penalties from Albornoz, Argentina looked well in control going into the break with a 21–10 lead. The Lions, meanwhile, had moments of promise, particularly through Bundee Aki, who crossed the line in the 18th minute. A penalty from Fin Smith earlier on was their only other score at that point. There was a nervous energy around the stadium, as the home crowd wondered if the Lions' proud tradition of starting tours strongly might falter.
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But the second half brought a shift in momentum. The Lions came out with renewed intensity, and it didn't take long for the pressure to pay off. A penalty try was awarded after the driving maul was deliberately collapsed by Mayco Vivas, who was sent to the sin bin. With Argentina temporarily a man down, the Lions seized their moment. Tadhg Beirne powered over the line following an explosive carry by Ellis Genge, and suddenly, the Lions had clawed back the lead—24–21.
The final stages were intense, with both sides pushing hard, but the Lions held firm. Marcus Smith’s composure and tactical kicking were pivotal, and the crowd roared as the final whistle blew. It was far from perfect, but for a one-off test of resilience, grit, and adaptability, this match ticked every box.
There will be plenty of questions for head coach Andy Farrell—especially around selection, with several players making strong cases, while others might have missed their moment. But overall, the Lions showed that they can rally under pressure, adapt on the fly, and finish strong.
One match down. Australia awaits. And if tonight’s comeback win is anything to go by, the Lions are just getting started.
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