Wales suffer record Argentina defeat in autumn opener

Tuesday, 11 November 2025 01:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Gerónimo Prisciantelli scored the sixth of seven Pumas tries in Cardiff

New Wales Head Coach Steve Tandy suffered an opening defeat in his first game as Argentina powered to a record win in a 11-try thriller at Principality Stadium on Sunday.

It was a 10th successive home defeat for Wales, who also lost inspirational Captain Jac Morgan to a serious-looking shoulder or arm injury.

Flanker Morgan suffered the problem in the act of scoring one of Wales’ four tries, while number eight Aaron Wainwright was also forced off.

Argentina crossed for seven tries with fly-half Gerónimo Prisciantelli’s double supplemented by scores from prop Pedro Delgado, scrum-half Simon Benitez Cruz, wings Mateo Carreras and Bautista Delguy, and replacement Santiago Grondona, while full-back Santiago Carreras kicked 17 points.

Wales responded with tries from scrum-half Tomos Williams, hooker Dewi Lake Morgan, and full-back Blair Murray. Wales centre Ben Thomas was shown a costly a first-half yellow card for kicking out at Argentina Captain Pablo Matera and can count himself lucky not to have been shown red for the reckless act.

The second half also saw the international rugby return of Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit after a two-year absence.

In front of a crowd of 50,185, Argentina’s victory should be no surprise after they arrived in Cardiff as firm favourites. Los Pumas were ranked sixth in the world prior to the game, six places higher than Wales. Argentina enjoyed some outstanding results in the Rugby Championship, including historic victories over Australia and New Zealand.

Felipe Contepomi’s battle-hardened matchday squad also had 944 caps between them – 400 more than Wales.

The experience and class told as Argentina celebrated the most points ever scored against Wales and a record margin of victory.

It is now 27 months or 827 days since Wales won an international game in Cardiff, a triumph against England in a World Cup warm-up match in August 2023.