Carreras’s Cruel Miss Sums Up Pumas’ Frustrating Final

A single moment of misfortune encapsulated Argentina’s frustrating afternoon at Twickenham, as Santiago Carreras’s late penalty agonizingly struck the upright, extinguishing the Pumas’ final hopes in their Rugby Championship decider against South Africa. It was a cruel end to a match where so much went against them.
Had the kick sailed through the posts in the 77th minute, it would have set up a nail-biting finish, pulling Argentina to within a single score. Instead, the resounding thud of leather on wood was the sound of their championship dream dying, a bitter pill to swallow for a team that had fought so hard.
That moment was symbolic of a wider struggle. Throughout the match, the Pumas were hampered by a scrum that was completely overpowered by the Springboks. This set-piece deficiency meant they were constantly under pressure, unable to build the kind of sustained attack their talented backs are capable of.
The choice of venue also worked against them. The financial gain of playing at Twickenham came at the sporting cost of losing their passionate home support, which so often provides the emotional fuel for their greatest performances. Facing the world champions in a pro-Bok environment was a mountain too high to climb.
While South Africa celebrated a historic title, the Pumas were left to reflect on a day of fine margins and missed opportunities. Carreras’s kick was the final, cruel twist in a narrative of what might have been for a brave and talented Argentinian side.