Japan's hopes of reaching the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup were dashed by Argentina on Sunday as a hat trick of tries by wing Mateo Carreras helped the Pumas to a 39-27 win in a highly entertaining game in front of 33,624 fans at Stade de la Beaujoire.
The reward for Argentina is a game against Pool C winner Wales in Marseilles next Saturday for a place in the semifinals, while the Brave Blossoms will fly home with their heads held high following a valiant display against a side that has the benefit of playing regularly in a top-tier tournament.
Following his final game as head coach of Japan, Jamie Joseph expressed pride in his team for overcoming adversity, including a prolonged lack of matches amid the coronavirus pandemic, to reach the brink of their second straight World Cup quarterfinals and first on foreign soil.