Pumas victory compounds France's 14-year misery

CORDOBA, Argentina (AFP) –

Argentina’s Manuel Montero (R) dives to score a try next to France’s Brice Dulin during their rugby union international test match on June 16. Argentina scored a late try to complete a come-from-behind 23-20 win over France as the tourists failed to end their 14-year wait for a victory on the Pumas’ soil.

Argentina scored a late try to complete a come-from-behind 23-20 win over France as the tourists failed to end their 14-year wait for a victory on the Pumas’ soil.

France led 14-13 at the interval before stretching their advantage at the Mario Kempes stadium to 20-13 with two further second half penalties from scrum-half Morgan Parra.

But Argentina, fresh from a 37-22 win over Italy last weekend, hit back with a penalty from skipper Felipe Contepomi before a try three minutes from time from winger Manuel Montero, converted by Contepomi, gave the home side victory.

France, whose last win in Argentina came back in 1998, had led at the interval thanks to a 25th-minute try from No 8 Louis Picamoles and three penalties from Parra.

The Pumas, however, had grabbed the first try of the match after only four minutes when winger Belisario Agulla had scored off an interception.

Contepomi converted before the centre also added two penalties.

The two sides will meet again in Tucuman next weekend.