Hugo Keenan delivered a masterclass at full-back, scoring a hat-trick to propel Ireland to a commanding 42-12 victory over Argentina in the Nations Championship. The performance preserved Ireland’s unbeaten home record against the Pumas, who had previously stunned the 2025 British and Irish Lions squad at the Aviva Stadium. Despite that recent upset, Argentina entered the match having lost all 11 of their previous encounters in Dublin, a historical trend that proved difficult to break under the lights.
Pumas fail to replicate Lions shock as Ireland secure 42-12 Nations Championship win
The game began with a shock for the hosts as Mateo Carreras intercepted a cross-field kick from Tomas Albornoz, leaping over scrum-half Craig Casey to score in the left corner. However, Ireland responded swiftly, with captain Dan Sheehan crossing for a try sandwiched between Keenan’s first and second scores. This flurry of activity allowed the home side to establish a comfortable 21-5 lead by the half-time whistle, effectively controlling the tempo and limiting Felipe Contepomi’s side to defensive efforts for the remainder of the contest.
The final scoreline reflects a comprehensive performance that secured a bonus-point win for Andy Farrell’s men. Keenan’s treble was the standout individual performance, showcasing his pace and finishing ability in the final third. For Argentina, the defeat highlights the difficulty of challenging Ireland in Dublin, as they failed to convert their early momentum into a sustained threat. The result cements Ireland’s dominance in this fixture and provides a significant confidence boost ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Source: The Independent Sport
