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Nicolas Sanchez celebrated his 100th cap in style with a try and a flawless kicking performance as Argentina set up a World Cup Pool D decider against Japan with a brutal 59-5 demolition of Chile on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Flyhalf Sanchez scored five and kicked 15 points to become his country\u2019s top scorer at a World Cup, adding to tries by Juan Martin Gonzalez (2), Agustin Creevy, Martin Bogado, Rodrigo Isgro, Ignacio Ruiz and Santiago Carreras to put Argentina in second place on nine points.<\/p>\n
Argentina lead third-placed Japan on points difference ahead of their meeting next week with a quarter-final place at stake while Chile exit the tournament bottom of the group with zero points despite scoring a late try through Tomas Dussaillant.<\/p>\n
Pool D leaders England have qualified in top spot and Argentina\u2019s win has eliminated Samoa.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very special for me. My family are here, 100 caps. I am very happy,\u201d Sanchez said.<\/p>\n
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Despite lapses in concentration, Argentina were always in control and coach Michael Cheika was looking forward to the Japan game.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are a great team, they are quarter-finalists from the last World Cup and we\u2019re not so we\u2019re very hungry to be in that position,\u201d Cheika said.<\/p>\n
His Chile counterpart Pablo Lemoine was grateful for the World Cup experience as the South American country were taking part for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an amazing month here. This Rugby World Cup has given us a lot and put Chilean rugby on a different path. We expected the World Cup to help Chilean rugby and we did it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
At Nantes\u2019 La Beaujoire stadium, Sanchez, the team\u2019s all-time top scorer with 872 points, put Argentina ahead with an early converted try, diving over after a nice dummy.<\/p>\n
He added a penalty before number eight Gonzalez crossed from a maul as did hooker Creevy for the Pumas\u2019 third midway through the opening half.<\/p>\n
Rodrigo Isgro\u2019s yellow card for a high tackle on Rodrigo Fernandez slowed Argentina\u2019s progression and no other points were scored before halftime.<\/p>\n
Having nothing to lose, Chile came back from the dressing room with a very offensive mindset but were caught cold when Bogado beat Inaki Ayarza\u2019s tackle for Argentina\u2019s fourth try.<\/p>\n
The crowd went wild when Chile\u2019s Augusto Bohme touched down after a clever lineout, only for the try to be ruled out for a forward pass.<\/p>\n
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Argentina were ruthless, Isgro adding another try as he dotted down under the posts before Gonzalez claimed a double.<\/p>\n
Dussaillant finally put Chile on the scoreboard to send their many fans wild, but they faced a fierce backlash as Ruiz and Carreras crossed to complete Argentina\u2019s crushing win.<\/p>\n