England held on by a thread to beat Argentina 27-23 in a bruising, emotionally charged finale at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday, November 23, 2025 — a result that stretched their home winning run to 11 matches and sealed an unbeaten 2025 campaign on home soil. The victory wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant. But it was decisive, and it came with a bitter aftertaste that lingers long after the final whistle.
Halftime Dominance, Second-Half Desperation
England looked in complete control at halftime, leading 17-3 after Argentina squandered three golden opportunities inside their own 22. A botched lineout throw, a knock-on inches from the try line by prop Thomas Gallo, and a bizarre miscommunication from winger Matías Moroni — who passed straight into George Ford’s forehead — left the visitors shell-shocked. England’s defense held firm, and their attack, led by center Henry Slade, capitalized. Slade’s 66th-minute try, carved out after a slick link-up with fellow midfielders, was the dagger. George Ford added a penalty minutes later to push the lead to 27-16.But Argentina, down by 11 points, refused to fold. What followed was one of the most relentless sequences of the year: a 15-phase, 90-second siege inside England’s 22. Argentina’s fly-half Santiago Carreras broke the gain line twice, drew defenders, and kicked for the corner. The final play — a lineout from 5 meters out — was supposed to be the setup for a match-tying try. Instead, hooker Franco Molina fumbled the catch. The ball spilled free. England cleared. The stadium exhaled.
Controversy in the Tunnel
The drama didn’t end with the final whistle. Argentina’s head coach, Felipe Contepomi, 48, stood in the mixed zone, visibly shaken. He accused England flanker Tom Curry of two offenses: a reckless tackle on fullback Juan Cruz Mallia — which Contepomi claimed tore the player’s ACL — and a physical altercation in the tunnel after the match.“It is probably part of [Curry’s] nature to bully people,” Contepomi said. “He came off down the tunnel and he gave me a little smack. I’m 48 [years old]. Not a smack — a push, a hit here on the chest. Maybe it is his nature, I don’t know.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick declined to comment on the allegation, calling it “a matter for World Rugby.” The Rugby Football Union confirmed they had received a formal report and would cooperate with any investigation. Curry, who was named man of the match for his 14 tackles and relentless work rate, has not publicly responded.
A Team in Transition
Borthwick made six changes to the side that crushed New Zealand 33-19 just weeks earlier — a clear signal that this was about managing squad depth ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup. Players like Manny Feaboso and Bonitez Cruz saw their first international minutes, while veterans like Ford and Slade carried the load. The gamble paid off in results, but not in polish. England’s attack looked disjointed in the second half. Their scrum, usually a fortress, creaked under Argentine pressure. And their discipline — 14 penalties conceded — was alarming.“We didn’t play like champions tonight,” said Ford after the match. “We played like a team that knew they were lucky to get out of here.”
What This Means for the World Cup
The Telegraph’s verdict — “England’s jaded win over Argentina will not worry Springboks” — captured the mood among analysts. South Africa, who’ve already defeated England twice in 2025, are the clear favorites for next year’s tournament. This match offered no evidence that England have solved their core issues: inconsistent set pieces, slow transition play, and a reliance on individual brilliance rather than structured dominance.Argentina, meanwhile, showed they’re no longer just a team that relies on physicality. Their backline movement in the second half was sharp, their tactical kicking precise. Even without Mallia — who was stretchered off in the 58th minute — they pushed England to the absolute limit. That’s progress. That’s promise.
What’s Next?
England’s next test comes in June 2026, when they tour South Africa. Argentina will play a home series against Italy and Japan in July. Both teams now turn their focus to the World Cup build-up, but the shadow of this match — the fumbled lineout, the contested tackle, the coach’s accusation — will linger. World Rugby has confirmed it will review the alleged incident involving Curry and Contepomi. A disciplinary hearing is expected within two weeks.For now, England celebrate. Eleven wins. Zero losses at Twickenham in 2025. But the cracks are showing. And in rugby, cracks don’t stay hidden for long.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did England extend their winning streak to 11 matches?
England won their 11th straight match by defeating Argentina 27-23 at Twickenham Stadium on November 23, 2025. Their streak began in June 2025 with a win over Wales and included victories over Ireland, New Zealand, and Japan. All 11 wins were in the Quilter Nations Series, with six of them at home. This match was their final fixture of 2025, making them the only Tier 1 nation to finish the year undefeated on home soil.
What happened to Argentina’s Juan Cruz Mallia during the match?
Fullback Juan Cruz Mallia was forced off in the 58th minute after a tackle by England’s Tom Curry. Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi claimed the tackle caused a torn ACL, though no official medical report has been released. Mallia did not return, and Argentina played the final 22 minutes with 14 players. His absence was a major factor in Argentina’s inability to convert their late pressure into points.
Is Tom Curry under investigation for his actions after the match?
Yes. World Rugby confirmed it has received a formal complaint from Argentina’s coaching staff regarding an alleged physical altercation between Curry and head coach Felipe Contepomi in the tunnel. The Rugby Football Union has pledged full cooperation. A disciplinary panel will review video footage and witness statements. Curry has not been suspended yet, but a hearing is scheduled for early December.
Why did England make six changes to their starting lineup?
England head coach Steve Borthwick rotated his squad to rest key players ahead of the 2026 Rugby World Cup. Six starters from the New Zealand win were benched, including fly-half Marcus Smith and lock Maro Itoje. This allowed fringe players like Manny Feaboso and Bonitez Cruz to gain international experience. The move was strategic — not a sign of weakness — but it exposed depth issues, especially in the scrum and at the breakdown.
How does this result impact Argentina’s World Cup chances?
Despite the loss, Argentina’s performance in London signaled major progress. They outplayed England for 30 minutes in the second half and showed improved tactical discipline. Their ability to pressure a top-tier side without their best fullback suggests they’re no longer just a physical team — they’re becoming more skilled. This result boosts their confidence ahead of their 2026 World Cup pool draw, where they’ll likely face France and Wales.
Was Twickenham Stadium officially called Allianz Stadium during the match?
Yes. Since 2023, the stadium has held a naming rights deal with Allianz, and it was officially referred to as Allianz Stadium during the match. However, many fans and media still use “Twickenham” out of tradition. Official match reports from World Rugby and England Rugby used both names interchangeably, but the signage, broadcast graphics, and stadium announcements used “Allianz Stadium.”
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Kendrick Fairhurst
Hello, I'm Kendrick Fairhurst, a seasoned expert in hotel and lodging, as well as the travel industry. I have dedicated years of my life to exploring and understanding the intricacies of these fields. My passion for traveling has led me to all corners of the globe, and I thoroughly enjoy sharing my expertise and experiences with others. I am an avid writer, with a particular focus on informative and engaging content about tourism. My ultimate goal is to inspire others to explore the world and discover the magic of travel.
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