An injury time drop goal by O’Gara stole victory for Ireland at Lansdowne. O’Gara kicked all of Ireland’s points, with two dropped goals and five penalties.

Playing into a strong wind and rain, Ireland came second best in tight situations. O’Gara’s boot kept them in touch rather than any running plays.

Ireland showed great composure to get themselves into a position to allow O’Gara to thump over a massive drop goal to complete a tremendous, if fortuitous, comeback.

Ireland: G Dempsey; G Murphy, B O’Driscoll (capt), S Horgan, D Hickie; R O’Gara, P Stringer; R Corrigan, S Byrne, J Hayes, M O’Kelly, P O’Connell, S Easterby, J O’Connor, A Foley.
Replacements: F Sheahan, M Horan or E Byrne, D O’Callaghan, E Miller, G Easterby, D Humphreys, K Maggs.

Argentina: JM Hernández; L Borges, FM Aramburu, M Contepomi, H Senillosa; F Contepomi, A Pichot (capt); R Roncero, M Ledesma, O Hasan, R Alvarez, P Albacete, M Durand, L Ostiglia, G Longo.
Replacements: F Mendez, E Guiñazu, P Bouza, A Petrilli, NF Miranda, JF Miranda, GP Tiesi.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England).

Ireland: (6) 21
Pen: O’Gara 5
Dg: O’Gara 2

Argentina: (16) 19
Try: Aramburu
Con: Contepomi
Pens: Contepomi 4