USA A vs Argentina A

Argentina lock Francisco Sluga saw yellow in the 47th minute for a dangerous clearout. With a one-man advantage, Carty slotted a simple penalty in the 53rd minute to put the USA ahead 18–17. The real dagger came in the 62nd minute: captain Jason Damm fired a short pass to Marno Redelinghuys, who burst through the middle and raced away from 25 metres. Carty's conversion stretched the lead to eight (25–17).

Argentina refused to fold. No.8 Thiago Sbrocco powered over from close range in the 71st minute after sustained forward pressure, and Dogliani converted to cut the deficit to one point (25–24). Replacement scrum-half Alejo Sugasti produced a brilliant 50–22 in the 76th minute to pin the USA deep in their own half.

With Argentina camped on the US line and the clock in the red, replacement Brandon Harvey stole a critical lineout to relieve pressure. The visitors earned another penalty and chose a scrum rather than a difficult shot at goal. In the final play, Argentina built phases inside the 22 — until Tavite Lopeti stripped the ball loose from an Argentina carrier, and Roberts hacked it into the stands to end the match.

• Luke Carty (USA): 14 points (2 penalties, 2 conversions), controlled the game with his kicking from the tee and out of hand. Started after three Nations Cup appearances off the bench and delivered his best performance in an Eagles jersey.
• Tavite Lopeti (USA): The match-winner defensively. His strip in the final seconds denied Argentina what looked a certain scoring opportunity. Also dangerous in attack as a ball-carrying centre.
• Marno Redelinghuys (USA): Scored the decisive try with a powerful burst through midfield. The South African-born flanker was a constant physical presence alongside Paddy Ryan.
• Thiago Sbrocco (Argentina XV): The No.8 carried relentlessly and scored a crucial try in the 71st minute to set up the grandstand finish.

Player of the Match: Luke Carty (USA)

Argentina scored four tries to the USA's three, which typically wins rugby matches, but two missed conversions and a 1/2 penalty return from Dogliani proved decisive. Carty was perfect from the tee (2/2 penalties, 2/3 conversions), contributing 14 of the USA's 25 points. The yellow cards traded — Alikhan (40') and Sluga (47') — cancelled each other out numerically, but the timing of Sluga's sin-bin allowed the USA to build their second-half lead. Argentina's dominance in the final 10-minute block (85%+ possession) shows a team that can generate pressure; it also shows a USA defence that bent but did not break, anchored by Lopeti's final intervention.

The USA extended their unbeaten 2026 record — now four wins from four after July victories over Portugal (30–29), Zimbabwe (31–15) and Spain (29–22) in the World Rugby Nations Cup. This was an uncapped exhibition designed to build depth 14 months out from the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, where the USA face France, Japan and Samoa in Pool E. The Argentina XV, playing their first match of 2026, will turn to a remodelled Americas Rugby Championship starting against Paraguay on 29 August.

The USA's next capped Test is a Pacific Nations Cup semi-final against Japan in September.