Ireland vs. Argentina: Score, Reaction from Rugby World Cup 2015 Quarter-Final

Argentina withstood an almighty comeback attempt to defeat Ireland 43-20 at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday, booking their place in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup 2015 thanks in part to a brace of tries from Juan Imhoff.

The Pumas rampaged into a 17-0 lead early on, with Matias Moroni and Imhoff crossing the whitewash. However, Ireland staged a second-half rally and got back to within three points thanks to tries from substitute Luke Fitzgerald and Jordi Murphy.

Ultimately, Argentina were the better side, though, and they found another gear to pull away with 12 minutes remaining through Joaquin Tuculet and a late second from Imhoff.

The defeat means Ireland have now failed to make it to the World Cup semi-finals in six attempts. Andy McGeady of the Irish Times acknowledged Argentina were the more deserving victors by some margin:

An injury-hit Ireland had Ian Madigan, Jordi Murphy, Iain Henderson and Chris Henry to help replace absent quartet Paul O'Connell, Johnny Sexton, Peter O'Mahony and Sean O'Brien, but depth proved insufficient as Joe Schmidt's men fell short in the Welsh capital.

Ireland were left shell-shocked inside two minutes after a flowing move through the hands found its way to the right flank, and the quick feet of Santiago Cordero opened enough room for Moroni to glide over unopposed.

Kearney brothers Rob and Dave were exposed in the build-up, although Andy Howell of Wales Online posting his appreciation of Argentina's flowing back line:

Most teams can be forgiven a slow start, but Ireland were put on red alert as the fleet-footed Cordero again assumed the role of provider, this time chipping over for Imhoff to score Argentina's second try before the 10-minute mark.

Referee Jerome Garces had to check with his TMO, but Imhoff's try was cleared of any suspicion of offside as the Millennium Stadium's Irish contingent fell quiet in the realisation of just how hard their team was being hit.

Nothing could be taken away from a lightning quick Argentina back line, and Imhoff's touchdown was a thing to behold, as shown by ITV Rugby:

Ireland were given a well-timed boost, however, as Keith Earls took a late hit from Pumas prop Ramiro Herrera, earning 10 minutes in the sin bin and gifting the trailing side a route back into the fixture.

Schmidt's men seized their chance. The loss of Tommy Bowe was a big blow after he was forced to withdraw with a shin injury, but replacement Luke Fitzgerald proved a savvy alternative as he broke off the left flank to bring the Boys in Green back within 10 points:

The Pool D winners would have been pleased with the manner in which they closed the half, but winger Imhoff and Cordero remained the key threats whenever permitted to receive the ball in space out wide.

The Pumas pressed their assault in the second period, but just as they had opened the match with a quick counter strike, it was now Ireland's turn to launch a surprise attack, once again through impact man Fitzgerald.

The versatile Leinster man was the spearhead for Ireland, piercing Argentina's back line before offloading to flanker Murphy for a tide-turning score. Murray Kinsella of The42.ie paid huge compliments to Fitzgerald, who has had to endure horrific injury setbacks in an otherwise gleaming career:

Sanchez and Madigan traded another set of penalties as the Argentina lead was reduced to 23-20. Herrera was perhaps lucky not to receive a second yellow after appearing to enter a ruck with his shoulder, and Irish fans everywhere let the referee know their opinion on the call, per ESPN's Robert Bartlett:

Ireland lock Devin Toner, the 6'10" behemoth, was unfortunate to concede a penalty after Garces blew up for a high tackle on the considerably shorter Sanchez, who kicked his team ahead into a valuable 26-20 lead.

After coming off the boil for so long, the Pumas finally stepped back on the gas thanks to ex-Cardiff Blues player Tuculet, who took advantage of narrow Irish defending to dot down under a mountain of opposition bodies.

Ireland's misery was encapsulated by the poor defence that led to Imhoff's second just minutes later, but nothing could be taken away from the Pumas for such a stubborn, yet at times dazzling display.

Ex-England coach Sir Clive Woodward was among those to pile praise on Hourcade's side, who have now made it three southern-hemisphere quarter-finalists from a possible three:

The match did its part in living up to the already stellar standard of rugby we've seen in this weekend's quarter-finals, but Australia and Scotland may watch the tape back with some degree of delight.

Argentina showed holes in defence and a lack of discipline, although their flair in attack will ensure the victors of Sunday's late encounter won't have an easy ride in the next round.

Post-Match Reaction

Michael Steele/Getty Images

For the sixth time Ireland made the quarter-finals of a World Cup and for a sixth time the European giants were found wanting, despite a titanic effort to reverse the deficit after suffering so badly early on.

Schmidt was quoted by the Irish Independent, bemoaning that lacklustre beginning:

No. 8 Jamie Heaslip was crestfallen in the wake of a result which at one point seemed as though it was Ireland's for the taking, per ITV Sport (h/t BBC Sport):

"

It's very disappointing to lose in such a big game. We didn't help ourselves at the start. We came back into it but we gave ourselves too much to do. This is a special group of players and a special group of fans.

Argentina played a very expansive game. They stretched us. They took their chances. We got back to within three points - but then they took their opportunities to kick on.

"

The biggest hero of the day was two-try talisman Imhoff, and yet despite his scoring antics, the winger was eager to praise the team as a whole for their work in defence:

“We will enjoy this moment but we know we have a tough game next week. Ireland played with a great intensity. We are a really good team in offence. But today we had a defence to make the difference.”