What was supposed to be a confident send-off for the British and Irish Lions turned into a sobering reality check in Dublin.
Argentina pulled off a stunning upset at the Aviva Stadium, dampening the celebratory mood and exposing cracks just days before the Lions jet off to Australia.
Instead of leaving Ireland with momentum, Andy Farrell’s squad now carries the sting of a 25-21 defeat — and a fair few questions about their readiness.
Argentina Stun the Crowd While Lions Regroup in Silence
As the final whistle blew, Argentina’s players erupted with joy — some visibly emotional — while the Lions stood frozen, hands on heads, processing the defeat.
Elliot Daly tried to rally the team in a post-match huddle, but the mood was heavy.
This match was supposed to be a warm-up, a confident opener against a second-string Pumas side.
Instead, it became a humbling loss to a team that now joins a very short list of countries who have ever beaten the Lions: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji… and now Argentina.
Some Positives, But Plenty to Fix
To be fair, there were a few silver linings. No injuries. No cards. And patches of strong attacking intent.
Props Ellis Genge and Finlay Bealham were dominant in the scrum, and Tommy Freeman had a standout performance.
But overall, the team looked like what it was — a new group still learning to gel.
The attack showed ambition but lacked cohesion, while the lineout was inconsistent and the defence, particularly in midfield, was fragile.
Sione Tuipulotu, playing out of position at outside centre, didn’t seem to click with Bundee Aki.
It’s likely that Farrell will now treat them as alternatives at inside centre rather than a power duo.
Clock Ticking Ahead of Australia Opener
Andy Farrell had urged players to make early statements in the race for Test spots, and some did.
But there’s no denying that there’s still a lot to iron out.
The Lions face their series opener against the Wallabies in just four weeks, and with such little time, Farrell has to make fast and firm decisions.
Backline fluidity, defensive structure, and smoother combinations will be top of the to-do list before the Lions face Western Force in their next outing.
Fans Flocked to Dublin, But the Result Fell Flat
Dublin was buzzing before kickoff, packed with red jerseys and roaring fans hoping to soak up a bit of Lions magic.
Concerts by American artist Zach Bryan had already turned the city into a party hub, and rugby was supposed to add to the festival atmosphere.
These warm-up matches aren’t just about preparation — they’re also a big money-spinner for the Lions and home unions.
But behind the commercial purpose, the passion among fans remains real. Many haven’t seen the Lions in person since 2017, after the 2021 tour was overshadowed by COVID.
A Flashback to 2005 and a Familiar Argentine Face
The last time Argentina played the Lions, it was a 25-25 draw in Cardiff back in 2005.
That night, their captain was Felipe Contepomi — now their head coach.
And in a poetic twist, it was under his guidance that the Pumas stunned the Lions in his old stomping ground of Dublin, where he once played and coached at Leinster.
Contepomi clearly had his players ready. After an early exchange of penalties, Argentina struck first with a lovely try set up by Albornoz and finished by Ignacio Mendy.
The Lions responded but were haunted by errors — two tries were disallowed before Aki finally powered through for their first score.
Second-Half Comeback Not Enough
The Lions came out strong after halftime, earning a penalty try and then another score via Tadhg Beirne after a brilliant break from Genge.
But Argentina wasn’t done. Santiago Cordero ran in another long-range effort and Albornoz added the extras.
Despite a furious finish from the hosts, too many unforced errors killed their hopes of a comeback.
What Comes Next for the Lions and the Pumas
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, a known tactician, will no doubt be dissecting the match footage, spotting the weak points and preparing his side accordingly.
For Farrell, it’s about finding the right mix and building momentum fast — starting with a much-needed win over Western Force.
As for Argentina, they’ll return home beaming with pride, and their confidence will be sky-high as they prepare to face England in La Plata and San Juan.
A result like this doesn’t just turn heads — it shifts expectations.