After a first round full of highlights, the final phase of the Rugby World Cup and its knockout matches begin on Saturday October 14. At the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, Wales face Argentina in the first poster of the quarter-finals. Returning from the locker room, the Argentines took the lead (12-10), after being behind throughout the first half. Follow our live stream.
The serious things begin. The outcome of the match looks undecided between two outsiders who we did not necessarily imagine in a position to reach the last four. This, even if they have already reached the semi-finals in the World Cup: Argentina in 2007 and 2015, Wales in 2011 and 2019.
The Welsh favorites. Penultimate in the 2023 Six Nations Tournament and in a bad situation for two years, the XV du Poireau nevertheless starts as favorite, after its immaculate performance during the group stage. Warren Gatland’s men, narrow winners over Fiji (32-26), gained strength throughout the matches. As a high point, the crushing victory against Australia, a leader who left prematurely, proved the Welsh’s ability to raise their level, and especially their physical intensity. They also benefited from an additional week of rest compared to their opponents.
The Pumas’ claw strike. The Argentine selection was not necessarily at its best in the last months before the World Cup (only two successes in 2023). The defeat on the first day against another convalescent, England (27-10), did not bode well. But the South Americans were able to respond at the right time against their direct opponents. Their decisive victory against Japan on the last day proved it: this team is solid in key matches, both physically and mentally.