HISTORIC UPSET: Argentina Stun British & Irish Lions in Dublin Clash

DUBLIN, IRELAND – June 20, 2025 In a seismic shock to the rugby world, Argentina defeated the British & Irish Lions 28–24 in Dublin on Friday night—securing their first-ever win over the iconic touring side and sending a clear message ahead of a high-stakes international season.

The match, played in front of a sold-out Aviva Stadium, served as a curtain-raiser for the Lions' upcoming tour of Australia. But it was the South Americans who stole the headlines with a performance full of grit, pace, and tactical brilliance.

Led by fly-half Tomás Albornoz and veteran winger Santiago Cordero, the Pumas delivered a result that will live long in the memory of their fans—and in the nightmares of a Lions side still searching for cohesion under new head coach Andy Farrell.

"We came here to make history, and we did", said Argentina captain Julián Montoya post-match, his voice cracking with pride. "We respected the Lions, but we never feared them.”

First-Half Fireworks

The opening exchanges were tense, but Argentina struck first through a composed Albornoz penalty. The Lions responded in kind with a brilliant line break and finish from Bundee Aki, who carried a heavy weight of expectation playing on Irish soil. Fin Smith added the extras, and the Lions looked to have settled into their rhythm.

But the Pumas had other plans.

On the stroke of halftime, a slick phase of play saw Albornoz dart through a defensive gap to score under the posts. His conversion pushed Argentina ahead 21–10 at the break, stunning the home crowd and injecting belief into the South American camp.

Lions Rally—Then Collapse

The second half saw a spirited comeback from the tourists. A penalty try awarded after sustained forward pressure, followed by a driving score from Tadhg Beirne, put the Lions 24–21 in front. The crowd roared back to life, sensing the traditional power shift was reasserting itself.

But then came the killer blow.

Santiago Cordero, ever the showman, picked off a loose kick and exploded into open space. Weaving through defenders, he finished a stunning 80-meter solo try that flipped the game on its head once again. Albornoz added the conversion for a 28–24 lead.

With less than ten minutes to play, the Lions surged forward. A series of attacking lineouts offered chances to steal victory at the death—but repeated handling errors and Argentine defensive pressure snuffed out their hopes.

Key Performers

• Tomás Albornoz was awarded Player of the Match for his clinical kicking, composed game management, and try that sparked the Pumas’ momentum.

• Santiago Cordero sealed his name in the headlines with his electric counter-attack finish, reminiscent of his early-career brilliance.

• For the Lions, Tadhg Beirne and Marcus Smith showed flashes of class, but execution under pressure proved costly.
  

A Wake-Up Call for the Lions

The loss marks a rocky start to Andy Farrell’s reign as Lions coach. With high expectations following his successful tenure with Ireland, this defeat will raise serious questions about squad cohesion, decision-making, and set-piece discipline.

“It’s a disappointing result, no doubt,” Farrell said. “But this is what these games are for. We’ve got a lot to take from this before Australia.”

A Historic Night

This was the first time the British & Irish Lions had played a fixture on Irish soil—an occasion meant to inspire. Instead, it was Argentina who found inspiration. With the victory, the Pumas not only rewrote history but reasserted their status as a global rugby powerhouse heading into the 2025 Rugby Championship.

For the Lions, the road ahead is steep—and now shadowed by the memories of an Argentine ambush under the Dublin lights.