Scotland thrash – Scotland began the Nations Championship campaign in Cordoba with a stunning 47-38 bonus-point win over Argentina, scoring seven tries as they built a commanding lead and showed ruthless efficiency in attack.
Scotland arrived in Cordoba with the kind of question marks that linger after painful memories, and by the time the final moments were ticking down, Los Pumas were left staring at a scoreline they didn’t expect to find themselves staring at.
Gregor Townsend’s side kicked off the Nations Championship campaign with an emphatic bonus-point victory away against Argentina. winning 47-38 after scoring seven tries in a ruthless display. The margin will sting in Argentina’s dressing room. but for Scotland it was also a kind of vindication after the last time these teams met at Murrayfield in November—when Scotland blew a 21-point lead and capitulated to defeat. triggering calls for Townsend to be sacked.
Townsend said he was “really proud of how the players played our game.” He added that Argentina had most of the ball for the first 10 minutes and that Scotland had to “get possession” before they could settle. But once they found their rhythm. Townsend believed they were “tactically… very smart. ” pointing to the “contact area. ” “the high ball. ” “the forward battle. ” and “the scrum.”.
He acknowledged there “were some things that weren’t quite so good” “at the very start of the game, and at the very end,” and stressed that Argentina were “a quality team” that Scotland respect. Still, the headline from the evening was unmistakable: Scotland’s highest ever score away in Argentina.
Townsend also made it clear the real challenge begins next week, when his team travels to Pretoria to face South Africa, the No 1 team in the world. Scotland, he said, “will need to be better,” but they could “take confidence” from how they performed here and from securing the victory.
The match itself told that story quickly—especially in Scotland’s attacking moments inside the Argentine 22. where tries arrived almost every time they ventured in. The opening phase looked like déjà vu from Murrayfield: Argentina dominated possession and territory. and they struck first after seven minutes through a lineout maul from five metres. No 8 Joaquin Oviedo touched down unopposed up the middle, and fly-half Tomas Albornoz added the conversion.
Scotland’s response came through Sione Tuipulotu, who scored in the corner on 17 minutes. The move was set up by a terrific pass from Fergus Burke, who had come on to replace Tom Jordan at fly-half. Scotland drew level at 7-7 as Burke added the extras.
The second try followed just five minutes later. Kyle Rowe delivered a terrific break to push Argentina deep into their own territory. and the ball was recycled quickly for Pierre Schoeman—scoring on his 50th cap—to power over. Jordan was back on after his HIA, but he missed the conversion, leaving Scotland 14-7 ahead.
On 36 minutes, Scotland extended their lead again with a third try built around thunderous carries over the gainline, with Tuipulotu driving the momentum. Then, only seconds later, Rory Hutchinson crashed over to score, and Jordan’s conversion took Scotland to 19-10.
Argentina’s composure slipped before half-time. Some of their players tried to drag Scotland into physical scraps and fisticuffs. and Argentina did manage to hold out and thwart another Scotland attack on the cusp of half-time. At 19-10. they were fortunate to be only nine points behind at the break. especially given how dominant Scotland had looked.
The second half started with a quick reset from the home side. Within three minutes of the restart, Argentina roared back to score their second try. A chip behind Scotland’s defence created an opening. and winger Rodrigo Isgro collected the ball with his left hand before powering through a couple of tackles to dive over. Albornoz converted, and it was 19-17 with Scotland still in front.
Unlike the night at Murrayfield, Scotland didn’t fold. They pushed the lead out on 53 minutes with their fourth try and, crucially, sealed the bonus point. Gregor Brown crossed after replacing Jonny Gray moments earlier, stretching to touch down. The score was set up by a lovely offload from Ewan Ashman and good play from Ben White.
Scotland’s attack stayed sharp. Just two minutes later, they scored again when the game became loose and unstructured. After winning turnover ball. Rowe and White combined to find Scott Cummings. and Cummings—like Schoeman. on his 50th cap—powered over. At 33-17 heading into the final 20 minutes, Scotland’s control looked complete.
Argentina did get pressure and made it count when prop Tomas Rapetti went over after a period of good pressure. bringing the scoreline closer. Then a moment of potential jeopardy arrived for Scotland when winger Jamie Dobie was sent to the sin bin. Playing a man down could have made for a nervy finish, but Scotland struck immediately.
Debutant hooker Gregor Hiddleston went over to score while Scotland had the advantage of momentum after Dobie’s dismissal, restoring their dominant lead. Rowe added another try for the visitors, before Argentina notched a couple of late tries and a bonus point of their own.
There had been talk during the week about trying to rid themselves of any demons left from the Murrayfield capitulation. and the question for Scotland was whether they could build on their Six Nations turnaround—after they went into the final weekend still with a chance of winning the championship. only to fall short against Ireland in Dublin. In this Nations Championship opener, they answered the question decisively.
The selection also carried a clear storyline. Finn Russell was missing this opening clash against Los Pumas. Tom Jordan started at fly-half in Russell’s absence. but his game was disrupted after only four minutes when he went off for a HIA. With those early disruptions, Scotland had to find a rhythm fast—and once they did, they kept scoring.
Even with talk of a hostile crowd at the Estadio Mario Kempes, the atmosphere didn’t match the reputation: there were swathes of empty seats, and it seemed fairly subdued by Argentine standards.
Scotland take the win into the next round, but the message from Cordoba is hard to miss. They didn’t just win—they answered the old scars with a performance built on dominance, tempo, and ruthlessness that left Argentina unable to stop the seven-try barrage.
MISRYOUM Sports News Scotland Argentina Nations Championship Cordoba Gregor Townsend seven tries bonus-point win Sione Tuipulotu Kyle Rowe Gregor Brown Scott Cummings Pierre Schoeman