The British and Irish Lions began their 2025 tour on a sour note, falling 28–24 to Argentina in a lively clash at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium — their first opening tour loss since 1971.
Argentina stunned the Lions with early tries from Ignacio Mendy and standout performer Tomás Albornoz, taking a 21–10 lead into halftime. Bundee Aki crossed for the Lions in a first half marked by defensive lapses.
Despite the Lions mounting a strong comeback — scoring through a penalty try and a Tadhg Beirne effort to briefly lead in the second half — a dazzling final try from Santiago Cordero sealed the upset win for the Pumas. The result reignited conversation about South America being a potential future tour destination for the Lions.
A rare home fixture and a wake-up call
The Lions rarely play matches on home soil, and Friday night’s sold-out crowd enjoyed a festive atmosphere. But any notion of a relaxed exhibition match vanished after the final whistle, when seasoned players like Maro Itoje and Elliot Daly led a stern team huddle.
“There are lessons to learn. This was our first outing, and there were definitely some teething problems,” said captain Itoje. “We’ll regroup, reflect, and move forward.”
Set-piece struggles and standout moments
Lineout execution was a major concern, with the Lions losing key throws and struggling defensively against Argentina’s quick, incisive attacks. Still, this wasn’t the full-strength squad — only three Irish players started, due to Leinster’s recent domestic final.
Despite missing some stars, the Lions fielded a talented team, but the Pumas, also without several top names, outplayed them with energy and precision.
Itoje acknowledged the performance lacked consistency and accuracy, but noted clear signs of growth during the game.
The Lions’ scrum was a bright spot, dominating even without Irish props Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, as Ellis Genge imposed himself physically.
Coach Andy Farrell will have taken note of promising combinations, including a dynamic midfield pairing of Aki and Sione Tuipulotu. Marcus Smith, playing at fullback, frequently stepped into first-receiver duties late in the match, showing glimpses of his electric footwork. However, Argentina’s flyhalf Tomás Albornoz outshone everyone on the night.
Looking ahead: tour kicks off in Australia
Winger Tommy Freeman impressed with his aerial dominance — a potential weapon in the upcoming Tests — but the Lions pack, especially in the lineout, will need to improve significantly.
There’s little time to dwell on the defeat. The squad departs for Australia on Saturday, with their nine-match tour starting on June 28 against the Western Force in Perth.
The Lions’ aim now is clear: bounce back quickly and build momentum heading into the Test series.
