Max Ojomoh produced a standout performance in his first home start as England held off a late Argentina fightback to complete an Autumn Nations Series clean sweep with a 27-23 victory at Twickenham.
The 25-year-old Bath centre opened the scoring with the game’s first try and supplied the assists for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s second and Henry Slade’s late effort. George Ford contributed a drop-goal, three conversions and a penalty as England built a 17-0 lead that evaporated to 17-16 early in the second half before being steadied by Slade’s try and Ford’s late penalty.
Scoring summary
– England — Tries: Ojomoh (10), Feyi-Waboso (25), Slade (66). Cons: Ford (10, 26, 67). Pens: Ford (72). Drop-goals: Ford (9).
– Argentina — Tries: Piccardo (45), Isgro (80). Cons: Albornoz (46), S Carreras (80). Pens: Albornoz (35, 51), S Carreras (60).
Argentina mounted a strong response after the break. Justo Piccardo produced a spectacular score five minutes into the second half, breaking from deep and finishing his own line to get the Pumas back in contention. Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Carreras added penalties to reduce the deficit, and Carreras’ accuracy from the tee briefly put Argentina within a point at 17-16.
England had earlier taken control. A ninth-minute Ford drop-goal opened the scoring and, a minute later, Ojomoh intercepted a loose Argentina pass and raced in for the try. Ojomoh’s cross-field kick midway through the first half set up Feyi-Waboso’s score, putting England firmly in command before Albornoz’s long-range penalty just before half-time offered Argentina a foothold.
The second half quickly became tense. After Argentina’s Piccardo try, they continued to press and drew level on the scoreboard in the 50th minute through Albornoz and then Carreras. England weathered the pressure; a vital scrum penalty win and a succession of defensive stands kept them in the contest until Ojomoh’s extending involvement created Slade’s decisive try from a lineout move with 14 minutes remaining.
Ford stretched the lead to 11 with a penalty after an Argentina infringement at a rolling maul, but the closing stages proved fraught. Tom Curry was penalised for a late hit and was involved in a confrontation that saw Argentina temporarily reduced in numbers after earlier substitutions. Joaquin Oviedo saw a late score disallowed, Alex Coles received a yellow card, and Rodrigo Isgro crossed in the dying seconds to spark a frantic restart. Argentina then broke through with a dramatic carry and earned a five-metre lineout in injury time, but lost possession from that final set-piece, allowing England to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Player reactions
Ojomoh, named player of the match, told TNT Sports: “It’s class. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for so long. I’m just glad we got the win. It’s not swagger it’s just I understand what my role is and was waiting for my opportunity to take it today. I had a lot of support behind me and am I glad I got to bring it to the field. The boys gave me a lot of energy during the week.”
England prop Ellis Genge said: “We’re over the moon. It was pretty ugly at the end, heart-in-mouth stuff, but the last time we went four from four in autumn was 2017, so it’s crazy for us to be part of that. That type of form doesn’t come around often, you’ve got to work very hard. It would have been easy for us to go downhill or chuck the towel in this week, I’m so proud of the group.”
Key incidents and moments
– Argentina had an early opportunity from a scrum penalty and a five-metre lineout but were penalised for a crooked throw.
– Ford’s early drop-goal and Ojomoh’s intercept try set the tone before Feyi-Waboso’s finish off Ojomoh’s kick doubled England’s advantage.
– Several Argentine chances went begging in the first half, including a knock-on from Thomas Gallo near the line and a missed Carreras penalty from close range.
– The Pumas’ second-half resurgence was fuelled by Piccardo’s individual try and accurate kicking from Albornoz and Carreras.
– The match saw a tense finish with a disallowed try, a sin-bin, and injury concerns, culminating in Argentina losing the final lineout that might have forced extra drama.
What’s next
England’s autumn sweep — wins over Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina — sets up their next engagement: Round 1 of the 2026 Six Nations at home to Wales on Saturday, February 7 (4.40pm kick-off). Argentina have finished their season and are next scheduled to return in July 2026, hosting Scotland as part of rugby’s new Nations Championship.