Argentina U20 vs USA U20

Argentina needed just two minutes to open the scoring. Bautista Benavides crossed the whitewash from close range, and Serpa added the extras for a 7-0 lead inside three minutes.

Pedro Coll stretched the lead in the 22nd minute, crossing after sustained phase play. Serpa converted. Manuel Cuneo Camargo added a third try in the 28th minute, with Serpa again on target, before Tomas Dande touched down in the 34th minute to make it 28-0.

Serpa got in on the act himself with a try in the 37th minute, converting his own score, and Simon Pfister rounded off the first-half scoring in the 39th minute to send Argentina into the break 40-0 ahead. USA captain Spencer Huntley was shown a yellow card in the 25th minute, leaving his side shorthanded for ten minutes during Argentina's most productive spell.

Benjamin Ordiz scored within two minutes of the restart (41'), and Pfister grabbed his second try in the 43rd minute. Bautista Lescano dotted down in the 48th minute as the lead grew to 59-0.

Pfister completed his hat-trick in the 62nd minute, with replacement fly-half Manuel Giannantonio converting for a 66-0 lead.

USA finally got on the board in the 64th minute when Sialeafuhia Ofa powered over from close range, and Gavin Holder added a second try in the 69th minute, both converted by Declan Cadden, to reduce the deficit to 66-14.

But Argentina finished strongly. Ramon Fernandez crossed in the 74th minute and Juan Preumayr capped the scoring in the 76th minute, with Giannantonio converting the latter to secure the 78-14 final score.

Nicolas Cambiasso was shown a yellow card for Argentina in the 57th minute, but USA could not capitalise during his absence.

The match was effectively over inside the opening 25 minutes. USA captain Spencer Huntley's yellow card in the 25th minute left the Eagles shorthanded, and Argentina scored three unanswered tries during that period — through Cuneo Camargo (28'), Dande (34') and Serpa (37') — to turn a 14-0 lead into a 35-0 blowout. USA never recovered.

Simon Pfister (Argentina U20) — Player of the Match. The back-rower scored a hat-trick (39', 43', 62') and carried powerfully throughout. His 14 ball carries were the most of any player on the pitch. His third try was a bruising finish after a period of sustained Argentine pressure.

Federico Serpa (Argentina U20) — 19 points from one try and seven conversions, plus a flawless goalkicking display. His try in the 37th minute was the pick of the first-half scores, converted by his own boot. He also led the defensive effort.

Basilio Canas (Argentina U20) — 14 tackles, the joint-most in the match, anchoring the Argentine defensive line that conceded just two tries.

Gavin Holder (USA U20) — Scored USA's second try in the 69th minute and was one of the few USA players to consistently get over the gainline.

Argentina dominated the territorial battle, spending 99% of the match in the lead compared to 0% for USA. They made 14 entries into the USA 22-metre area to USA's 6, averaging 4.7 points per entry. Argentina won 80 rucks to USA's 67, but USA actually won rucks at a marginally faster rate — 46% within three seconds versus Argentina's 47%. The scoreline reflected Argentina's superior finishing rather than a complete mismatch in possession.

USA won just 12% of possession in the final ten minutes, and Argentina outscored them 12-2 in that period. The penalty count also tilted Argentina's way in the second half, with four of the last five penalties awarded to the home side.

Argentina sit top of Pool C with five points from their opening match. The bonus-point win gives them a +64 points-difference advantage over England, Ireland and USA — a significant factor if the pool finishes level on points. USA will need to regroup quickly ahead of their next pool matches, having conceded the highest score of any team on the opening day of the 2026 championship.

Argentina face Ireland U20 next in Pool C, while USA take on England U20 in their second match.

Argentina blitzed USA with pace and power in the opening quarter and never relented. The scoreline was a fair reflection of the gulf between the sides on the day, though USA's two second-half tries showed spirit. If Los Pumitas maintain this form, they will be a serious contender for the knockout stages.