Argentina 6-29 Scotland: The visitors return to winning ways against South America

Scotland leveled their three-match Test series against Argentina with a convincing 29-6 victory in Salta.

Hamish Watson, Mark Bennett, Matt Fagerson and Sam Johnson scored tries Gregor TownsendThe team bounced back in style from their first Test defeat.

Blair Kinghorn and Ross Thompson added nine points for the Boots as the home crowd, celebrating Argentina’s Independence Day before kick-off and in a party mood, fell silent.

Hamish Watson (ball carrier) was one of four scorers for Scotland against Argentina

Scotland trailed 6-3 before Watson gave them a narrow lead three minutes before the break.

But Townsend’s team took control in the third quarter, scoring 21 unanswered second-half points to tie the series at 1-1.

Watson won his 50th cap as the Scotland international made five changes to a side that had been beaten 26-18 by Los Pumas seven days earlier.

Dave Cherry, Sam Skinner and Rory Darge returned to the pack, while scrum-half Ben White started for the first time after taking over from Ali Price.

Scotland made a quick start on a hot day and Kinghorn were awarded a simple penalty in the fourth minute.

But Edinburgh full-back Emiliano Bafelli equalized before the contest went into an armbar with both sides guilty of careless mistakes.

A win for Scotland means the series will be decided in the final Test next weekend

Argentina failed to capitalize when Santiago Carreras fired over before Scotland wasted a similar opportunity.

Darcy Graham set up an exciting attack, picking up a high ball under pressure, but fellow winger Doohan van der Merwe was forced into contact with Argentina’s defense at full stretch.

Carreras’ skills – be it with the ball in hand or kicking on the edges – continued to cause problems, while White’s high tackle on Rodrigo Bruni gave Baffelli an easy penalty.

Scotland, however, retook the lead just before half-time after they opted to ignore straight three points in front of the posts and go for corners.

Scotland had to recover from an initial 6-3 deficit in the first half

Argentina failed to defend the line out and Watson marked his important appearance by taking a dig in the seventh Test.

Scotland extended their lead within two minutes of the restart after Dargay and Pierre Chaumant drilled holes in the hosts’ defence.

White set up Bennett who made a great line to score for his second try in as many weeks and Kinghorn converted to make it 15-6.

Guido Petty looked to have given Argentina hope when he stormed over, but the goal was disallowed by a forward pass from winger Juan Imhoff earlier in the period.

Blair Kinghorn scored five points to help Scotland to a famous victory in South America

Argentina had a mountain to climb after Boffelli was booked for a foul in the 52nd minute.

Scotland took full advantage when Fagerson returned for his first try and substitute Thompson added the extras.

Los Pumas’ woes continued as Carreras looked certain to score but lost the ball under pressure from Darge.

Scotland sealed victory when Johnson pounced on Price’s pass and Thompson converted.

The series will now be decided in Game 3 next Saturday in Santiago del Estero.