"Vamos Los Pumas!" - 5 Greatest Argentina Upsets ahead of England Tour 1st Test

With plenty of legends having worn the sky blue and white shirt over the years, Los Pumas have challenged in recent times, but are still slightly behind the likes of the Springboks and All Blacks right at the top level.

This means that almost every time they manage to beat one of the big boys, it still feels like a shock even if they are close to them in terms of quality.

One of their greatest wins of all time came only a couple of weeks ago in Dublin, when they beat the British and Irish Lions in their own back garden ahead of their tour to Australia.

Now hosting England for two Tests, Argentina will back themselves to see off Steve Borthwick's side and while it may not be a huge shock if this happens, here are some of the biggest shocks that Los Pumas have pulled off.

Argentina stunned the British and Irish Lions in Dublin with a thrilling 28–24 win that has shaken up the rugby world. It was their first-ever victory over the Lions, and it couldn’t have come at a better time, just weeks before they face England.

The Lions were expected to dominate, even with some first-choice players missing, but Argentina’s speed, organisation, and clinical finishing caught them cold.

Tomas Albornoz was outstanding, scoring 18 points, while breakaway tries from Ignacio Mendy and Santiago Cordero turned the game.

The Lions clawed their way back, briefly taking the lead, but Argentina struck again and held firm in a tense finish. It was a huge statement from Los Pumas and perfect preparation for their upcoming Tests against England.

Los Pumas beat New Zealand for the first time ever with a 25–15 win in the 2020 Rugby Championship.

It was their first Test in 13 months, and few gave them a chance against the All Blacks, who had just lost to Australia but were still heavy favourites.

Argentina came out with intensity, led 16–3 at halftime, and never let go.

Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez scored all the points, including a try, six penalties, and a conversion. It was an emotional win too as captain Pablo Matera dedicated the win to the Argentine people, who were facing tough times at home.

This result marked the first time the All Blacks has lost two in a row since 2011.

Before the 2007 Rugby World Cup, France had beaten Argentina in 30 of their 38 previous meetings, including a dominant win in the 1999 quarter-final. As hosts, France were heavily favoured to win the tournament opener in Paris. But Argentina had other plans.

Felipe Contepomi kicked an early penalty and added two more before full-back Ignacio Corleto scored the game’s only try, intercepting a loose pass from Remy Martin. By halftime, Argentina led 17–9.

Although France’s David Skrela kept them within reach with four penalties overall, Les Bleus couldn’t break through the Pumas’ determined defence. Argentina’s 17–12 win stunned the rugby world and set the tone for their incredible tournament.

Six weeks later, they beat France again, 34–10, in the third-place play-off, showing that this game wasn't just a fluke.

The Rugby World Cup clash between Ireland and Argentina in Lens, France, was one of the biggest shocks of the 1999 tournament. Ireland, a regular quarter-finalist, were expected to get past a determined but still-developing Pumas side.

But Argentina had other plans. After scraping through the pool stages, with Gonzalo Quesada starring against Samoa, they faced Ireland in a quarter-final play-off. Quesada kicked seven penalties, but it was a late try that stunned the Irish.

With just eight minutes to go, a slick move from a scrum saw Felipe Contepomi float a wide pass to winger Diego Albanese, who dived over in the corner. Quesada nailed the touchline conversion, sealing a dramatic 28–24 upset. It was Argentina’s first-ever trip to the World Cup quarter-finals.

Argentina pulled off one of the biggest shocks in rugby history by completing a stunning Rugby Championship Triple Crown with a 29–28 win over South Africa in Santiago del Estero.

It was the first time Los Pumas had ever beaten Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the same year.

After falling 17–0 behind early, Argentina came back with four first-half tries in an end-to-end game where momentum kept changing between the sides.

Tomas Albornoz’s second-half penalty nudged them in front, and a missed late kick by South Africa kept the upset alive. The win capped an incredible run under new head coach Felipe Contepomi, who has already beaten some of the world’s top teams.