The British and Irish Lions kicked off their 2025 campaign with a nail-biting 28-24 defeat to Argentina in Dublin, marking their first-ever match on Irish soil and the debut under new head coach Andy Farrell. The clash at the sold-out Aviva Stadium, packed with 51,700 passionate fans, was a thrilling prelude to the Lions’ upcoming nine-game tour of Australia.
Argentina came out blazing from the start, showcasing their pace and precision with early tries from wing Ignacio Mendy and fly-half Tomas Albornoz. Albornoz was the standout performer for Los Pumas, contributing an impressive 18 points through a combination of a try, three penalty goals, and two conversions. His first points came via a penalty in the opening minutes, setting the tone for a dynamic Argentine attack that consistently tested the Lions' defense.
The Lions struggled to find cohesion in the opening half despite significant possession and territory advantage. Early hopes were dashed when two Lions tries — first from Luke Cowan-Dickie and then Sione Tuipulotu — were disallowed due to knock-ons. However, Bundee Aki bulldozed his way over the line to finally open the Lions’ try-scoring account, with Fin Smith converting to give the Lions a brief lead at 10-8.
Argentina responded with clinical efficiency, as Albornoz added two more penalties before capping an impressive first half with a breakaway try in the dying moments, pushing the Pumas ahead 21-10 at halftime. The move that led to this try was a slick counterattack initiated by Rodrigo Isgro and Santiago Carreras, culminating in a perfectly timed pass to Albornoz who crossed the line.
Despite the halftime deficit, the Lions came out with renewed vigor in the second half. They were awarded a penalty try following a powerful lineout maul, during which Argentine prop Mayco Vivas was sin-binned, giving the Lions a man advantage. Capitalizing on this, Tadhg Beirne stormed over for a converted try, briefly swinging the momentum back in the Lions’ favor at 24-21.
Yet Argentina was undeterred. Santiago Cordero, who came on as a replacement, finished a breathtaking coast-to-coast try following a clever break by Albornoz and a precise kick from Matias Moroni. This spectacular score, coming 22 minutes from time, restored the Pumas’ lead and ultimately proved decisive.
The final stages saw the Lions pushing desperately for a winner. Powerful surges from players like Pierre Schoeman, Scott Cummings, and Sione Tuipulotu threatened to break through the Argentine defense. However, a crucial steal by Rodrigo Isgro halted the Lions’ momentum, and his kick into touch sealed the historic victory for Argentina—their first-ever win over the Lions in eight meetings dating back to 1910.
Captain Maro Itoje reflected on the game’s lessons, telling Sky Sports, “We weren't as consistent as we would have liked to be. We only showed glimmers of what we can do. When we were on it, we looked good, we just need to do it more consistently. Argentina showed us where we are lacking. I am happy we had a hard-fought game. We live and learn. This is only match one.”
Head coach Andy Farrell was candid about the team’s performance, acknowledging the high error rate and the need to tighten up ahead of the Australian tour. “You can't win a test with that error rate,” Farrell said. “We lost enough balls in that game for a full tour, throwing balls that weren't on. They were hungrier than us with the ball on the ground. There was good and bad throughout. We were just a little bit off, I take responsibility for that. I hope we are better off for that.”
The Lions fielded a side missing many players involved in recent domestic finals, experimenting with combinations including a Northampton half-back pairing of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith, who scored his first points for the Lions with a penalty goal. Despite the experimental lineup, the team showed flashes of promise but ultimately couldn’t match Argentina’s hunger and cohesion.
The Lions will now turn their attention to Australia, departing from Dublin on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Their first match Down Under is scheduled against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 11:00 BST. This match will be the first of a series of games leading up to the highly anticipated three-Test series against the Wallabies.
While the loss in Dublin is a setback—their first tour opener defeat since 1971—it also serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. Argentina’s win was not only historic but a testament to their growing strength in world rugby, currently ranked fifth globally. The Pumas’ ability to capitalize on opportunities and maintain defensive resilience under pressure was on full display.
For the Lions, the road to redemption begins now. The squad boasts a wealth of talent, with leaders like Maro Itoje and Tadhg Beirne providing experience and grit. Players such as Bundee Aki and Marcus Smith showed flashes of brilliance, while newcomers like Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman offered encouragement for the future.
The atmosphere at Aviva Stadium was electric throughout the 1888 Cup clash, reflecting the significance of the occasion. The match was not just a warm-up but a statement of intent from both sides. Argentina’s victory, fueled by Tomas Albornoz’s outstanding performance and Santi Cordero’s decisive try, will be remembered as a landmark moment in their rugby history.
As the Lions regroup and head Down Under, the focus will be on sharpening their execution, reducing errors, and building cohesion. The Australian tour promises to be a stern test, but if the Lions can harness their potential and learn from this experience, they remain strong contenders for the Test series ahead.
For now, the Lions must reflect on a hard-fought battle in Dublin, where Argentina’s pace, precision, and determination earned them a memorable victory. The journey continues, and the Lions will be eager to turn lessons learned into future success on Australian soil.
