Japan 27-39 Argentina: Mateo Carreras’ hat-trick inspires Pumas to do-or-die Rugby World Cup win over Pool D rivals – to set up quarter-final showdown with Wales

• Argentina beat Japan to set up quarter-final against Wales next Saturday
• Wing Mateo Carreras scores a hat-trick of tires to help Argentina to victory
• Coach Michael Cheika will be worried about an injury for forward Pablo Matera

Wales will play Argentina in the first of the four World Cup quarter-finals in Marseille on Saturday afternoon after the Pumas beat Japan to finish as runners-up in Pool D.

A day after Warren Gatland’s side beat Georgia at Stade de la Beaujoire to top Pool C, Argentina and Japan met at the same Nantes venue. 

It was a magnificent contest. With both teams playing for a knock-out place, everything was on the line. 

The two produced brilliant attacking rugby that was a joy to watch. 

They can both be proud of their efforts. Michael Cheika’s Pumas did just enough to reach the last eight with Mateo Carreras scoring a brilliant hat-trick which proved the difference in an eight-try thriller. It was one of the best games of the World Cup to date. 

Argentina beat Japan in their Pool D clash to set up a quarter-final against Wales next weekend

Argentina wing Mateo Carreras scored a hat-trick of tries to help his side to victory in Nantes

But Argentina’s chances of beating Wales took a significant blow with key forward Pablo Matera injured in the first half here. They have just a six-day turnaround before Wales, so Matera’s chances of being fit are slim after he was forced off with a leg injury. Wales head coach Gatland would have been delighted to see his team’s knock-out opponents given such a serious run for their money. 

Japan were outstanding and could well have won. Backed by a sea of blue and white shirts, Argentina had fanatical support behind them as they took to the pitch in a beautiful River Plate-inspired change strip.

Their start couldn’t have been better. In just the second minute, centre Santiago Chocobares powered through midfield and past some poor Japanese tackling to score. 

Emiliano Boffelli converted and then claimed a high ball. Japan won a scrum penalty although the early stages suggested they would be outpowered. But the Brave Blossoms aren’t a team who die wondering. 

First, scrum-half Naoto Saito produced an outrageous overhead kick while facing the wrong way. It was an audacious move. But had Michael Leitch gathered cleanly, it would likely have led to a certain try. 

As it was, Argentina escaped, albeit only temporarily. 

Japan were soon on the board. When giant second row Amato Fakatava picked up possession on the left wing, the instant reaction was to wonder what he was doing there. 

Fakatava showed why. Not only did he demonstrate great pace for a forward to run into space, he then kicked ahead, collected, and won the race to the line for one of the best tries you’ll ever see from a lock. The conversion was added but the momentum Japan gathered from the try was then taken out of their sails by a yellow card – which was sent to the bunker for review – for Pieter Labuschagne. 

Japan also played their part in one of the games of the World Cup so far, scoring three tries in a pulsating encounter

Argentina were forced to adopt a River Plate-style change of strip due to a kit clash 

Emiliano Boffelli scored a try of his own and also added nine points with the boot to ensure victory for the Pumas

The Japan flanker made contact with the head of Thomas Gallo but escaped a red. Boffelli then put a penalty wide before Argentina’s hopes of knock-out success took a big blow. Matera, their force of nature in the back-row, limped off injured and had to be assisted by Argentina’s medical team to leave the field. 

His quarter-final hopes look slim. Even without their talismanic forward, Argentina responded. 

When Japan No 10 Rikiya Matsuda had a drop goal attempt charged down, they were forced to kick in the air. The Pumas counter-attacked quickly, collecting their own kick ahead through Juan Cruz Mallia before scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou sent Carreras racing over for a crucial try. Boffelli couldn’t convert but did kick a penalty as Argentina scored eight points with Labuschagne off the field. The first half was tit for tat and hugely entertaining. 

Just when you thought Japan were struggling, back they came again.

More brilliant attack, this time involving Siosaia Fifita, sent Saito to the line. Rikiya Matsuda’s conversion meant Argentina only led by a point after a thrilling first 40. Carreras added his second at the start of the second half. 

After sustained Argentina pressure, the Pumas were playing with a penalty advantage and used it wisely. Newcastle wing Carreras danced to the line. 

Boffelli added the extras before Matsuda responded with a simple three points and then dropped a brilliant goal from range. Each time Argentina seemed to pull away, Japan pegged them back. 

Argentina coach Michael Cheika saw his side do just enough to reach the last eight of the competition

But a worry for Cheika will be a potentially serious injury to forward Pablo Matera that could rule him out of the Wales game

But the Pumas can play some brilliant rugby and their bonus-point try was typical of what they can produce. From a scrum, their back-line got to work, Bertranou and Mallia sending Boffelli over and the Edinburgh wing converted his own score with the aid of the post.

The only negative for Argentina was another injury, this time for Bertranou who plays his club rugby in Wales with the Dragons. 

Given how both teams had exchanged scoring for the whole game, it was no surprise Japan were next to cross the line. After butchering a great opportunity, Japan got it right second time round with Jone Naikabula finishing acrobatically in the corner. 

Still, Argentina had Carreras. He crossed for his treble in the 68th minute and that, finally, was that with Nicolas Sanchez converting and adding a late penalty to make the game safe and send his team’s magnificent fans into relieved raptures.

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