Argentina delivered a statement performance in Cardiff, storming to a 52–28 victory over Wales,their biggest-ever winning margin and highest score against the Welsh,in an electrifying test match played under the closed roof of Principality Stadium on Sunday.
The Pumas ran in seven tries in a clinical and confident display, with debutant fly-half Gerónimo Prisciantelli starring on both sides of the ball. The rookie playmaker crossed twice and earned man-of-the-match honors, while Santiago Carreras was flawless from the tee, converting all eight of his attempts.
For Wales, there were glimmers of promise in their first match since snapping an 18-test losing streak in July — the longest in Tier One history. They managed four well-worked tries and celebrated the return of Louis Rees-Zammit, back from his NFL stint, whose injection of pace lifted the crowd. But defensive lapses, poor discipline, and a mounting injury toll left the home side with more questions than answers.
Captain Jac Morgan’s suspected dislocated shoulder,suffered while scoring from a tap penalty ,was a major setback, and Wales’ performance under new head coach Steve Tandy bore too many echoes of the old era. They missed 30 tackles, conceded 17 points while two backs were in the sin bin, and struggled at set-piece.
Argentina capitalized ruthlessly. Within 15 minutes, they were 14–0 up after early tries from 135kg prop Pedro Delgado and Prisciantelli, the latter finishing a clever chip ahead from Mateo Carreras.
Wales briefly rallied through tries from Tomos Williams and Dewi Lake, but Ben Thomas’ yellow card for kicking out at Pablo Matera proved costly. The Pumas seized momentum, running in two sensational long-range tries — one from Simón Benítez Cruz, the other a stunning coast-to-coast effort finished by Mateo Carreras after a brilliant break and kick from Matera.
Leading 31–14 at halftime, Argentina extended their advantage soon after the restart when Bautista Delguy latched onto Santiago Carreras’ cross-field kick.
Rees-Zammit’s introduction gave Wales renewed spark, and they added further tries through Morgan and Blair Murray, but Argentina’s composure never wavered. Prisciantelli’s second try, a sharp intercept, and a late score from Santiago Grondona sealed a record-breaking afternoon for the visitors — surpassing their previous high of 50 points scored against Wales in Tucumán back in 2004.
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