Argentina 21-15 Scotland

Jun 8 2008 By Iain Hammill

Sickener As Argentina's Late Penalty Stuns Hadden's Men

FEDERICO TODESCHINI broke Scottish hearts with a kicking master class as Argentina snatched a 21-15 victory.

The fly-half put in a sublime display with the boot on a night that saw Chris Paterson finally miss a kick as the Pumas kept up their 18-year unbeaten run against Scotland.

It was a tough one for Scots boss Frank Hadden to take as his men had a two-point lead with eight minutes left in Rosario.

He said: "We had enough of the ball to earn a positive result but things did not go our way.

"I could not fault the guys for their commitment and work-rate butwe were made to pay for making basic errors."

The Scots struck first when Argentina gave away a penalty that Paterson duly put away in 12 minutes.

The lead only lasted a few moments as new cap Matt Mustchin gave away a penalty for a clearcut deliberate knock-on.

However, he had cause to feel aggrieved because Irish referee Alan Lewis failed to spot a forward pass by Argentina seconds earlier.

Todeschini made no mistake with the equalising kick from close range.

Glasgow full - back Bernardo Stortoni burst into the contest to set up Argentina's first try.

Felipe Contepomi split Scotland with a huge pass that released Stortoni who then slipped in Alvaro Tejeda to plough over.

Todeschini converted.

Scotland replied soon after with Paterson stroking over his second penalty following excellent play by Johnny Beattie.

Paterson repeated the feat from a more awkward angle when the hosts failed to vacate the tackle scene following a hit on Dan Parks.

However, the reliable fullback's luck ran out fiveminutes before the break when he sent a wide-angled 40-metre effort wide.

The Scots shook off the disappointment, however, to mount a series of try threatening raids - but couldn't turn pressure into points before the interval.

But they were relieved to watch Todeschini's 40thminute penalty also glide past the wrong side of the upright.

Scotland started the second half brightly and Paterson rediscovered his kicking form as he put the tourists back into the lead.

He then extended it to five points minutes later but his luck soon deserted him as he gave away the penalty that allowed Todeschini to reduce the deficit by two.

With eight minutes left Scott MacLeod was caught offside allowing Todeschini to restore Argentina's lead.

Scotland tried to rally but Gonzalo Tiesi broke clear to cross over in the dying seconds to seal Argentina's win.