Rugby World Cup: Argentina seeks its third semi-final against powerful Wales

France 2023 begins its knockout duels, where the eight best nations on the planet will attempt to win the Webb Ellis Trophy, so far won by four countries in its previous eight editions. Three of them (New Zealand, South Africa and England) are still in the running, after the surprising elimination of Australia in the group stage.

Another country also in the quarterfinals is Argentina, a great power on the American continent. The Pumas return to this instance after their failure at Japan 2019, where they finished third in their group . The rival will be the surprising Wales (12:00 Chilean time), which, under the orders of Warren Gatland, showed its best version in this Cup.

They swept Group C, winning all four games they played and establishing themselves as the best tackling team in France. They average 166.8 per game, with 88% efficiency . In addition, they showed a game where they do not take risks in their own field and where they use kicks a lot to move the oval.

Argentina, for its part, is not approaching this duel in the best way. Although they beat Japan 39-27 in the final group match they shared with Chile, The Pumas have not yet consolidated their game in Gallic lands . This is a team with moments of brilliance, but little consistency. Very efficient in defense, they will have to improve in attack if they want to reach the semi-finals for the third time in their history, after having succeeded in 2007 and 2015.

Just after the duel between the Argentinians and the Welsh, Paris will host Ireland’s match against New Zealand (4 p.m.). Europeans arrive as world number one , while the All Blacks have all the weight of history in a sport where, with South Africa, they have been its greatest exponents. Even if it has the same World Cups as the Springbooks (3), the legend of the oceanic team is such that it undoubtedly makes it the greatest team on the planet.

But in the French capital, they will have a titanic task. The Jonathan Sexton-led side have won five of the last matches played against New Zealand, which tips the scales for Ireland. Although it is also true that The XV del Trébol has never made it past the quarter-finals of a World Cup.