Pumas pounce as French suffer opening night jitters

IF ONE was in any doubt about the size of the task facing Ireland in qualifying from the pool of death, then last night’s shock victory by Argentina over France emphasised the point. The prospect of points difference now deciding this pool looks an even greater possibility.

In that context, one wonders just how important the last-minute penalty miss by Argentina’s Felipe Contepomi, which would have denied France a losing bonus point by virtue of an eight-point defeat, could yet prove crucial in separating the top-three sides.

Never before has the host nation lost an opening game in the world cup, and while the organisers will be fearful for the knock-on effect from the temperamental French supporters, one can only applaud the Herculean performance from an outstanding Argentinian side.