Historic Triumph: Argentina Clinches First Home Victory Over All Blacks in Thrilling Rugby Championship Clash

In a historic night at Buenos Aires, Argentina secured their first-ever home victory over New Zealand, defeating the All Blacks 29-23 in a thrilling Rugby Championship encounter. The match, played in front of a passionate crowd, saw Argentina break a 40-year drought against the All Blacks on home soil.

Match Highlights

Tries: Juan Martin Gonzalez and Gonzalo Garcia scored crucial tries for Argentina, while Santiago Carreras added 13 points with his boot.
New Zealand's Response: Billy Proctor, Fletcher Newell, and Samisoni Taukei'aho scored tries for the All Blacks, but their ill-discipline cost them dearly with three players sent to the sin-bin.
Final Moments: Damian McKenzie's last-minute penalty secured a losing bonus point for New Zealand, who still top the Rugby Championship table.

Key Moments

First Half: Both teams were tied at 13-13 at halftime, with Argentina showing resilience despite New Zealand's early pressure.
Second Half: Argentina took control with Garcia's try and Carreras' accurate kicking, while New Zealand struggled with penalties and missed opportunities.

Post-Match Reactions

Julian Montoya (Argentina Captain): "The stadium was rocking, honestly it was amazing. I'm really proud of the team and the whole squad. We believed we could win, and we've believed for a few years now."
Scott Barrett (New Zealand Captain): "They showed more passion and intensity. They got over the gainline and held the ball, while we gave away penalties which just fed their game."
Scott Robertson (New Zealand Coach): "Test footie is tough when you get three cards and they dominate the aerial game. We just didn't get a lot of little things to go our way."

Tournament Standings

Argentina remains at the bottom of the Rugby Championship table but is now level on points with South Africa, who beat Australia 30-22 earlier on Saturday. All four teams have won one game each, setting up an exciting remainder of the tournament.

Historical Context

This victory marks Argentina's fourth win in 41 Tests against New Zealand, with previous victories coming in Sydney (2020), Christchurch (2022), and Wellington (2023). The Pumas' first official Test against New Zealand on home soil was in 1985, making this win even more significant.