Contepomi eyes ‘great challenge’ after Pumas’ incredible comeback win

Argentina made history in Edinburgh last weekend with a gutsy 33-24 comeback win over Scotland, but another “great challenge” awaits Los Pumas, who will take on one of the world’s form sides in their final match of 2025.

Scotland had won nine of the 12 meetings between the two nations since Argentina last tasted victory at Murrayfield on November 28, 2009. Those matches included four fixtures at the 67,000-capacity fortress, with the Scots defeating Argentina 52-29 in their last clash there in 2022.

Three years later, Argentina looked to make it two wins from as many matches during the Quilter Nations Series, having beaten Wales by 24 a week earlier in Cardiff. Los Pumas returned to Edinburgh believing a drought-breaking win was possible, following another remarkable season.

Argentina started their international campaign with a famous win over the British & Irish Lions in Dublin, before claiming further wins over Uruguay, the All Blacks in Buenos Aires, and the Wallabies at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.

Los Pumas clawed their way back from a 21-0 deficit to beat Scotland at Murrayfield, now turning their focus to England who will be full of belief themselves. The English recorded their second-biggest win over the All Blacks last weekend, extending their winning streak to 10 matches.

“Every game starts from zero, we start our preparation from zero. I think now we need to celebrate this victory because for this group of players, they’ve never won here at Murrayfield so it’s a big victory for us,” Contepomi said post-game on the broadcast.

“From tonight, from tomorrow morning, we’ll start recovering to make sure that we have the right energy and the right team selection for the English game.

“We know the challenge that we are coming for… [one of the] form teams at the moment, probably. It’s a great challenge for us.”

Los Pumas appeared destined for another loss to Scotland after the hosts piled on the points during a first-half blitz, much to the delight of the home crowd. Former Wallabies backrower Jack Dempsey opened the scoring, before Ewan Ashman completed a double on either side of half-time.

It was 21-0 early in the second half, with Los Pumas failing to register any points before the 56-minute mark. Captain Julian Montoya and former HSBC SVNS Series star Rodrigo Isgro scored a try each in quick succession, making it a nine-point game with 20 to play.

Fly-half Finn Russell extended Scotland’s advantage with a penalty goal, but Argentina ran in three tries in the final 11 minutes to complete the incredible comeback win.

“The boys believed. We spoke before the game, we knew it was going to go for 80 minutes. When you play this Scottish team, it’s a high-octane game. They play with such a flow,” Contepomi explained.

“We knew we needed to stay there and comeback, don’t focus too much on the result but on the performance.

“I think Scotland used their moments really well and they scored 21 points, but then when we had a bit of momentum, I think the boys went for it.

“It’s one of those games… pressure comes from one side to another. I think the boys managed it really well.”