Why Scotland 'disaster' in shock loss to Argentina was 'difficult to stomach' - 'Couldn’t believe what I was seeing'
Updated 18/11/2025 at 10:22 GMT
Scotland suffered a shock defeat to Argentina in the Quilter Nations Series after leading the match 21-0. Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu said it was "not good enough", while head coach Gregor Townsend highlighted two key areas that led to the defeat. Former Scotland international John Barclay said Townsend will be "furious" with the result and that it was a "disaster".
Highlights: Argentina stun Scotland with second-half comeback
Video credit: TNT Sports
There was a mixture of shock and frustration after Scotland blew a 21-0 lead to lose in stunning fashion to Argentina in the Quilter Nations Series.
Beaten last week in tight fashion by New Zealand, Scotland looked set to bounce back impressively as they opened up a commanding advantage against Argentina.
But the game spiralled away from Scotland from the moment Argentina scored their first try in the 57th minute.
A second try followed three minutes later, then three more in the final 10 minutes as Argentina finished in devastating style to win 33-24.
"We fell asleep at the wheel," admitted Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu after his team were booed off by some fans.
"It’s not good enough, we know we are a lot better than that. We are going to have to take a pretty tough look at ourselves this week."
The turning point in the game seemed to be when, with the score at 21-0 and Scotland pushing for a fourth try, Finn Russell’s long pass was intercepted by Argentina.
Soon after, Blair Kinghorn was yellow carded and the momentum swung firmly in Argentina’s favour - and never came back Scotland’s way.
"Decisions and discipline will be the two areas we look at most closely," said Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.
"We made a huge effort to get 21-0 up against such a good team and to be pressing to go another seven points up, but in that moment we didn’t execute and after that we have to be better with our discipline, because if a team has momentum and you give them penalty after penalty it’s going to be easier for them. We didn’t do a good enough job there."
Former Scotland international John Barclay said Townsend would be "furious" with the result.
"They will look back at that and it will be a disaster," said Barclay on TNT Sports.
"I struggle to remember a game when Scotland have been in such control and then the wind comes out of the sail and try, try, another try. The unravelling of it was spectacular.
"We shouldn’t be surprised because we spoke about how good Argentina can be, but Scotland were aware of that and were so good in the first 45 minutes, then the next 35 minutes it was almost an unrecognisable side.
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Tuipulotu says Scotland 'fell asleep at the wheel' after shock loss
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It will call into question the mental state of the players because, from such a strong position, to unravel as spectacularly as they did, how on earth has that happened?"
Barclay's former Scotland team-mate Greg Laidlaw said the defeat was "difficult to stomach".
Laidlaw said: "At 21-0 we were cruising and it was so weak with how we allowed them field position and gave Argentina that opportunity to get up the field.
"It just comes back to decisions - we were down to 14 men and we decide to kick a short kick-off. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. We were playing into Argentina’s hands.
"It wasn't just the fatigue, or maybe it was mental fatigue, but we came up with some silly decisions as well."
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'We have to be better' says Townsend after Scotland lose to Argentina
Video credit: TNT Sports
Just as with New Zealand last week against Scotland, and England in all three of their wins in the Quilter Nations Series, Argentina’s bench was key to the comeback victory.
A series of changes in the second half gave The Pumas a much-needed boost and helped them turn the game around in such remarkable fashion.
By contrast, Scotland’s replacements did not have the same impact as they were unable to stop the one-way traffic.
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Piccardo completes 'greatest comeback in Pumas history'
Video credit: TNT Sports
"The impact from opposition teams at the moment is winning games," said Barclay.
"You could see they [Scotland] needed some impact, some control, some clinical edge and it didn’t come. You look at the flip side and that is how the game changed."
Laidlaw said he was surprised that George Horne was not brought on late in the game.
"The momentum had clearly shifted away from Scotland and we needed to counter that," Laidlaw said. "We had someone like George Horne who is full of energy. I’d describe him like a chaser, you put him on the bench if you need to chase the game, he’s full of energy and quick around the rucks. We needed to find a spark and he could have been the answer, but he never came on."
Scotland next play Tonga, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Sunday, November 23.
"The players more than anyone want to succeed and do well but how do they change that?" added Barclay.
"That conversation has been prevalent for a number of years. They put themselves in strong positions and then for it to fall apart. That will be a really hard dressing room to be in."
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Watch and stream the Quilter Nations Series, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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