British and Irish Lions v Argentina live: Latest score and updates as Bundee Aki try gives hosts lead – UK Times

Try! Lions 10-8 Argentina, 18 minutes

Bundee Aki back playing on home turf scores a try for the Lions!

Marcus Smith shows some impressive skill, while Tuipulotu delivers a perfect offload to his centre partner.

Aki powers straight through to cross the try line. Fantastic score and Smith adds the conversion to put the Lions ahead.

No try! Lions 3-8 Argentina, 17 minutes

No try awarded. Joel Sclavi’s knock-on led to Mitchell losing control of the ball, which Tuipulotu then picked up and grounded.

The decision is correct, marking a second try chalked off for Andy Farrell’s side. However, the Lions now have a scrum in a promising spot on the field.

Lions 3-8 Argentina, 15 minutes

The Lions earn a penalty advantage from the scrum but choose to keep the ball alive, driving deep into the 22.

Their teamwork is starting to click, with Bealham and Curry making strong early impacts. Their physical presence earns the Lions their first scrum of the match. From that scrum, the hosts pick up a penalty.

Although the Lions launched a disciplined and well structured attack during the penalty advantage, Argentina stood firm in defence.

Try! Lions 3-8 Argentina, 12 minutes

What a fantastic effort from Ignacio Mendy! It all starts from Freeman’s clearing kick at the line-out. The Pumas secure their throw and swiftly move the ball out wide.

Santiago Carreras draws in three defenders before releasing a perfect pass to Mendy, who darts inside van der Merwe to score. Albornoz misses the conversion, but that try puts Argentina ahead deservedly.

Penalty! Lions 3-3 Argentina, 9 minutes

Maro Itoje points to the posts, and Fin Smith makes no mistake with the kick bringing the Lions level on the scoreboard.

It’s been a lively and engaging start, with both sides showing sharp attacking intent and moving the ball with real fluidity.

Penalty! Lions 0-3 Argentina, 4 minutes

Chance for Argentina! Marcus Smith and Tommy Freeman come to the rescue with a superb double tackle to deny what looked like a certain try in the corner.

The ball has barely left the field since kick-off and Argentina are starting to find rhythm. The forwards are putting in the hard yards, inching closer to the line before finally earning a penalty.

The Lions are forced into more desperate defending to hold Montoya up right on the try line, but in the process, they’re pinged for offside.

That gives Albornoz a straightforward shot at goal and he makes no mistake. Argentina take the early lead with the first points on the board.

Lions 0-0 Argentina, 2 minutes

Argentina are enjoying plenty of early possession as both sides begin to find their rhythm. It may be billed as a warm up, but this has all the intensity of a full-blooded Test. Fast, physical and unforgiving from the first minute.

Rodrigo Isgro makes a sharp break down the left, but Fin Smith is alert and sweeps up the kick with composure.

Owen Farrell on the 10 debate

Three-time Lion Owen Farrell speaking to Sky Sports:

“I see similarities and differences. I see three fantastic 10s that can do everything across the board, but probably different strengths and superpowers.

“You’ve got the calmness of Finn Russell, you’ve got Marcus Smith, a show-stopper who can make something on his own. Then you’ve got Fin Smith, who stands so flat to the line and transfers the ball so quick teams cannot deal with it.

“It will be about who gets the best out of those around, that will be the key to this.”