England delivered a statement performance against Argentina on Saturday, securing a convincing 26-14 victory that will ease pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick and demonstrate significant progress in their attacking game.
Controlled Dominance at Twickenham
In a match where England never trailed, the home side displayed a level of control and precision that has sometimes been absent in recent campaigns. The victory margin of 26-14 reflected England's dominance throughout most of the contest, with the team building scoreboard pressure through consistent phases of possession and territory.
The match, played on November 17th, 2025, saw England establish an early lead they would never relinquish. While Argentina remained competitive throughout, they struggled to match England's intensity at key moments, particularly at the breakdown where the English forwards exerted significant influence.
Key Performances and Tactical Nuances
Several individual performances stood out for England, with Marcus Smith delivering a commanding display at fly-half. His game management and decision-making provided the structure England needed to execute their game plan effectively against a physical Argentine defence.
The forward pack laid the foundation for victory, with the set piece functioning efficiently throughout. England's lineout operated with precision, while the scrum provided a stable platform for the backs to launch attacking movements. This solid forward platform allowed England to play with the tempo and width that Borthwick has been striving to implement.
Argentina's resistance was led by their captain, who tried to rally his team during the second half, but England's defence held firm against the Pumas' characteristic powerful carries and offloading game.
What This Victory Means for England's Future
This performance represents more than just a single victory in the Autumn Nations Series. It demonstrates tangible progress in Steve Borthwick's project to develop a more complete England team capable of competing with the world's best.
The manner of victory – controlled, disciplined, and with moments of genuine attacking quality – will please the coaching staff and supporters alike. While there remains work to be done, particularly in converting more opportunities into points, the performance against a quality Argentine side provides a solid foundation to build upon.
For Argentina, the defeat represents a setback in their own development, though they will take encouragement from periods where they matched England physically and created scoring opportunities of their own.
As both teams look ahead to their next fixtures, England can approach their remaining autumn internationals with renewed confidence, while Argentina will need to address the discipline issues and defensive lapses that proved costly at Twickenham.
