France 12 Argentina 17
KEY POINTS:
PARIS - World Cup hosts France were upset 17-12 by a spirited Argentina side in the tournament's opening match at the Stade de France this morning (NZ time).
A try from fullback Ignacio Corleto and four penalties by centre Felipe Contepomi to four penalties from French first five-eighths David Skrela gave Argentina their fifth victory over France in six encounters.
It was France's first defeat in a pool match and by emulating 1991 hosts England, who lost to New Zealand, they are in danger of elimination from the strongest group which also features Ireland.
If they finish second they face the prospect of a quarter-final against the All Blacks in Cardiff.
The French, who trailed 17-9 at halftime, fought back but failed to breach a watertight Argentine defence.
France looked nervous, especially in the first half, and struggled to contain an aggressive Argentina side, who opened up a 6-3 lead courtesy of two penalties by Contepomi against one from Skrela.
First five-eighths Juan Martin Hernandez had just penetrated their defence when France woke up at last with halfback Pierre Mignoni sparking a brilliant move from their backs all across the field on 12 minutes.
A fierce scrum battle marked the opening stages with neither pack gaining any immediate advantage.
France had been worrying their fans with handling errors and poor place kicking when Argentine pressure resulted in another penalty which Contepomi converted to increase the Pumas' lead.
A swift counter-attack following a clumsy pass by French flanker Remy Martin then ended with Corleto touching down after a fine run for the match's only try.
Contepomi's conversion attempt bounced off the post but Argentina nevertheless led 14-3. A Contepomi penalty and one from Skrela completed the scoreline until the teams changed ends.
A devastating move over 30 metres by the French forwards early in the second half signalled that the hosts were determined to bounce back.
A missed Skrela penalty, however, did not do the home side any favours, even if the French first five-eighths soon earned another one to put France a converted try away from the lead.
France survived a scare on 64 minutes when Contepomi dropped the ball following a bad clearance from substitute French first five-eighths Frederic Michalak, who later missed a penalty to leave his side five points back with nine minutes to go.
The scoreline remained that way, silencing the initially exuberant 80,000 crowd packing the stadium on a mild, still night.
- REUTERS
