PARIS (AFP) — Argentina pulled off one of the great upsets of World Cup history here on Friday when they beat hosts and one of the favourites France 17-12 in the opening match.
The Pumas scored all their points in the first-half including an excellent try by Ignacio Corleto to inflict their fifth defeat in their last six meetings over the French.
The loss was also France's first in the opening round of a World Cup.
For Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda it was a memorable moment as he enters his final bow with his national team before leaving to take up a similar role with English giants Leicester.
"It was a marvellous match, it was tough. The French came at us head on. We are overcome with happiness, but we shouldn't get above ourselves because it is only the first match," said Loffreda, whose side will finish their first round campaign against Six Nations Triple Crown winners Ireland.
They will also take on minnows Georgia and Namibia.
France coach Bernard Laporte was devastated.
"When you begin a World Cup and it is imperative to win the match and you lose, you can say only one thing that the sky has fallen in on your head," he said.
"We were not good and it is for us to raise our game. We have to win the three remaining games and then wait and see."
For France's veteran South African-born prop Pieter de Villiers - who missed the last World Cup because of a drugs ban - the disappointment was immense.
"We have taken a real hit," he said. "We better get over this quickly but the World Cup is far from finished."
Stade Francais star fullback Juan Martin Hernandez, playing at fly-half, had the first shot at goal with an attempted drop goal which lacked strength and was safely caught wide of the posts by Cedric Heymans.
However, Felipe Contepomi, playing alongside brother Manuel, landed a penalty in the fourth minute which was levelled a couple of minutes later by David Skrela.
In the 10th minute, the Pumas won another penalty and Contepomi was equal to the task to make it 6-3.
The nervousness of the hosts was exemplified by Skrela's farcical attempt at a kicked clearance when his boot failed to connect with the ball and the Argentinians recovered the ball.
Argentina were dominating and deservedly grabbed a six point lead when Contepomi landed a third penalty in the 24th minute.
The Pumas got a deserved try in the 27th minute when Remy Martin's misjudged pass was intercepted by the only amateur in the side Horacio Agulla.
Two quick sleight of hand passes released Corleto who left his pursuers behind and touched down in the corner.
Contepomi's previously peerless boot failed this time with the conversion.
The 14-6 lead was reduced on the half-hour as Skrela converted his second penalty before Contepomi restored the deficit when he kicked a monster penalty to make it 17-6.
Skrela gave France some hope when he landed his third penalty on the stroke of half-time to make it 17-9.
The French came out in more positive mood in the second-half but despite being camped on the Pumas line they failed to score and indeed it was Argentina who got away with a penalty to clear.
Skrela then fluffed a kickable penalty but he made amends on the hour mark to make it 17-9.
French coach Bernard Laporte rang the changes bringing on a trio of scrummagers and replacing veterans Raphael Ibanez, making an international record 93rd test appearance for a hooker, Fabien Pelous and Martin.
Skrela was soon replaced by the mercurial Frederic Michalak with 20 minutes remaining but his inconsistency was reflected when he badly missed with a penalty with just 10 minutes remaining.
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