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Michael Cheika refused to assess the entirety of Argentina’s Rugby World Cup campaign or his tenure as head coach of the Pumas games
Coming off a harrowing 44-6 semi-final defeat to New Zealand in which they’d been totally outclassed in every facet of the game, perhaps his reticence was understandable games
Next Friday’s third-place play-off against the loser of the second semi-final games between England and South Africa merely provided a handy excuse games
It’s a game that players don’t want to play, spectators don’t want to watch and media don’t want to cover but it did give Cheika a week’s buffer to collect himself before he will have to answer the tough questions games
“I can’t do that straight away,” said Cheika when asked to assess his time in charge of Argentina, which comes to an end after this World Cup games
“I haven’t finished yet games
“I know we won’t win World Cup but I’m happy to be at this level and they deserve to be here games
Their play, ambition, ability to raise themselves after the first game [a pool-stage loss to England] games
It’s another obstacle but we can be proud of our team and our capacity to deal with obstacles games
Next week we have a game to play, at the end of the World Cup we will summarise and assess it games
”The players were similarly on message with their adamance at the importance of the worst game in rugby games
“There is one more game left, one more final,” said flanker Marcos Kremer games
“We want to leave this World Cup winning and we are going to do everything to make it happen games
”“We are going to prepare like a final games
We are not satisfied with being here games
We want a medal and we are going to fight for that," added wing Mateo Carreras games
The value of a third-place play-off in an event defined by a trophy, rather than a medal podium, and its place in an already over-saturated playing calendar is a debate for another time but the Pumas can only keep the wolf at the door for so long games
They will soon have to address exactly what happened in the second-most one-sided World Cup semi-final of all time – the eventual margin of defeat just narrower than the All Blacks’ 49-6 triumph over Wales in 1987 games
The All Blacks ran riot in the Stade de France (Getty Images)Three times in their rugby history, Argentina have reached the semi-final stage of the World Cup, with three losses to show for it games
They have scored just one try across those 240 minutes and have a combined losing margin of 76 points games
The celebrations and lap of honour after beating Wales in the quarter-finals in Marseille a week ago suggested that, deep down, the Pumas believed they had come as far as they could in this tournament games
Both history, and the performance that followed against New Zealand, made it a self-fulfilling prophecy games
They hardly imposed themselves on the All Blacks at the Stade de France games
Phases of attack came to a grinding halt once they reached the All Black 22, with the ball inevitably jackalled away, the defensive line was torn to shreds by their opponents’ quick hands and clever lines, the scrum was splintered by a dominant New Zealand pack and basic handling errors defined the game games
Frankly, it wasn’t a match befitting a World Cup semi-final and ensured the Pumas book-ended their tournament (barring next Friday’s bronze-medal irrelevance) with abject displays, after the lifeless opening loss to 14-man England games
It is hardly a squad bereft of talent games
The experience of Julian Montoya and Agustin Creevy leading the front row is complemented by an exciting, dynamic back-row trio of Juan Martin Gonzalez, Kremer and Facundo Isa that should be able to match almost any opposition games
While questions remain at nine and 10, a back three of Mateo Carreras, Emiliano Boffelli and Juan Cruz Mallia is explosive enough to give any team fits games
Argentina were dejected after slipping to a semi-final defeat (Getty Images)Perhaps a semi-final appearance shouldn’t be sneered at games
Yes, they benefitted from being in the considerably weaker half of the draw but it equalled their best World Cup performance and you can only beat who’s in front of you games
On paper, Cheika’s tenure – since taking the reins from the sacked Mario Ledesma in early 2022 – will be viewed as a success games
A first-ever win over the All Blacks in New Zealand last summer and a World Cup semi-final is not a bad return games
But in terms of the ‘eye test’, the Pumas never looked like an elite side and there’s a nagging feeling that they haven’t moved forward under the Australian games
Cheika’s preferred coaching style of creating a ‘siege mentality, us against the world’ environment always seemed at odds with the largely personable Argentina squad games
Media availability was limited – perhaps a poor fit for the historically open Pumas – and a bubble created around the team games
Putting your stamp on things in just an 18-month period is tough, with Felipe Contepomi always slated to become head coach after the World Cup and learning the ropes as part of Cheika’s coaching team in the interim games
The legendary Pumas fly half, who is also a cult hero at Leinster following playing and coaching spells there, will likely provide a different strategy in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup and it will be fascinating to see what he’s taken from his time working under Cheika games
As for the Australian, he departs with his reputation certainly not damaged and maybe even enhanced games
The 56-year-old will undoubtedly be in demand around the rugby world and should be able to have his pick from a number of exciting coaching opportunities games
“It is not a sad moment,” insisted Cheika in the aftermath of defeat in Paris games
“It’s a moment I’m proud of my team games
We were in the semi-final of a World Cup games
”Yes, they were games
But the suspicion that there was a version of this Pumas side that still had more to give remains games
More aboutMichael CheikaArgentina rugbyRugby World CupJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Argentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerThe All Blacks ran riot in the Stade de France Getty ImagesArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerArgentina were dejected after slipping to a semi-final defeat Getty ImagesArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerMichael Cheika led Argentina to a World Cup semi-final but they were trounced by New Zealand Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today games
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsgames BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy games
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Arsenal fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at Chelsea and preserve their unbeaten start to the Premier League season on Saturday, with late goals from Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard games
Chelsea had gone ahead in the 15th minute through a cool Cole Palmer penalty after Arsenal defender William Saliba rose to hold off Mykhailo Mudryk and the Ukrainian’s header glanced off his opponent’s hand games
The referee awarded the spot kick after a VAR check games
Mudryk scored Chelsea’s second three minutes after the break, lifting the ball into the top right hand corner of the net over the stranded Raya games
Both Raya and Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez made errors in the high energy encounter, and it was Sanchez’s sloppy distribution that led to Arsenal‘s 76th minute strike from Declan Rice, who won the ball and sent it past the keeper into an open goal games
Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard silenced Stamford Bridge with a neat finish from a fine Bukayo Saka cross in the 84th to earn his side a point and keep them in the running at the top of the table games
RecommendedMikel Arteta hails career-long support of ‘big brother’ Mauricio PochettinoMauricio Pochettino believes Mikel Arteta is ‘one of the best’ ahead of London derbyMikel Arteta, Mauricio Pochettino and the ‘love’ at the heart of a fractious rivalryChelsea vs Arsenal Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Gallagher, Fernandez, Mudryk, Palmer, SterlingArsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, JesusWhat is Infinite Athlete? Chelsea’s new shirt sponsor15’ GOAL! Palmer sends Raya the wrong way with his penalty, 1-0!48’ GOAL! Mudryk with a second for the Blues, chipping Raya from out wide, 2-0!77’ GOAL! Rice punishes Sanchez’s error and curls the ball into the empty net, 2-1!84’ GOAL! Trossard is left by Gusto at the back post and pokes past Sanchez, 2-2! REPORT: Arsenal stun Chelsea to claim point amid chaos from goalkeeper howlersShow latest update 1697915360Arsenal stun Chelsea to claim point amid chaos from goalkeeper howlersArsenal stung Chelsea with a stunning late fightback as they came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge games
Mikel Arteta’s side looked to be heading to a first defeat of the season when Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross-shot looped over David Raya minutes after the interval, adding to the lead given to them by Cole Palmer’s first-half penalty games
The visitors were far from their free-flowing best and Mauricio Pochettino’s side, inspired by the increasingly influential Palmer on the right of a front three, were for three-quarters of the game good value for what would have been a third straight league win games
Jack Rathborn21 October 2023 20:091697913530Declan Rice reacts to Arsenal’s late comeback to earn point at ChelseaDeclan Rice: “First half is the worst we've played all season games
Not doing things in structure, the manager said they've been very unlucky this season, it was never going to be easy games
“Heart and character, that mindset to know you can do it games
It's about driving the team on, making sure everybody believe we can get something here games
“My first pass, a sloppy one, not good enough games
Second half, we showed what we’re about, that belief and hunger games
”Jack Rathborn21 October 2023 19:381697913093FT Chelsea 2-2 ArsenalA tremendous game ends all square games
Trossard’s movement and calm finish at the back post enough to ensure Arsenal remain unbeaten games
But Pochettino will be livid, they’ve chucked away two points there, after a superb performance for more than an hour games
Goalkeeping errors from both Raya and Sanchez gifted goals for Mudryk and Rice and leaves both managers with a headache moving forward games
Jack Rathborn21 October 2023 19:311697912738Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal90+5 Saka loses the ball now, Thiago easily sweeping up as Nketiah looked to get in behind games
Jackson running in behind after Enzo’s pass, he shapes to shoot, works a yard and then drags one to the far post games
A solid effort, but Raya has that one covered games
Now Caicedo and Saka collide, the Ecuadorian is down hurt, despite dishing out the punishment games
Officially, two minutes remain games
Jack Rathborn21 October 2023 19:251697912587Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal90+2’ Jackson offering a direct route for Chelsea, but Arsenal pushing on and sensing three points for the taking games
Sloppy from Caicedo to gift Arsenal possession and there are plenty of groans around Stamford Bridge games
Nketiah tries to bend one, but it’s straight at Sanchez, who is given plenty of stick from the visiting fans when he gets on the ball, sensing another mistake games
(Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Jack Rathborn21 October 2023 19:231697912427Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal90’ Nketiah leaves one on Caicedo, although the Chelsea midfielder looked to jump into the challenge too games
A yellow for the Arsenal forward regardless games
We’re approaching stoppage time now, Arsenal fans in full song, they’ll believe they can nick this games
They lead the league, alomg with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Spurs, with three goals this season from 75 minutes onwards games
Jack Rathborn21 October 2023 19:201697912073GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal (Trossard)84’ GOAL! Trossard equalises at the back post! Absolute bedlam in the away end, the Belgian ghosts past Gusto and pokes home at the far post games
Stamford Bridge is stunned games
There’s time for a winner, too! Nketiah in behind and under pressure from Thiago he shoots just beyond the far post games
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Jack Rathborn21 October 2023 19:141697912037Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal83’ James makes his return from injury and Madueke is also introduced games
Sterling and Palmer make way, meaning an extra defensive body on the pitch for the Blues games
Still over 10 minutes left here, including stoppage time, with James given a hero’s welcome by the home supporters games
Jack Rathborn21 October 2023 19:131697911968Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal82’ Chelsea react positively to that goal, pushing down the left through Cucurella games
A combination is cut out by Rice, but he loses it quickly, Gallagher picking up the pieces games
It’s scrappy now! Caicedo looking to settle things down, but Colwill goes direct again and hooks a cross up and over the bar games
Jack Rathborn21 October 2023 19:121697911790GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal (Rice)77’ It’s another goalkeeping howler! Sanchez this time and he plays it straight to Rice, who controls and then cushions the ball into the empty net games
Hope for the Gunners! Chelsea now the side holding on with a gripping final 10 minutes ahead games
A quiet game for Rice, but he never stopped trying to make things happen, the sign of a player with excellent character when both his side is not on top games
(PA)Jack Rathborn21 October 2023 19:09Newer1 / 4OlderMore aboutChelsea FCArsenalJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/1Chelsea v Arsenal LIVE: Final score after late Trossard goalChelsea v Arsenal LIVE: Final score after late Trossard goalREUTERS✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today games
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