Japan was eliminated from the Rugby World Cup in France in a 39-27 loss to Argentina on Sunday.
The World No. 12 Brave Blossoms needed to win their Pool D finale against the ninth-ranked South Americans in Nantes to advance to the quarterfinals for the second straight tournament.
The Pumas got off to a flying start with a try after 67 seconds by center Santiago Chocobares in a piercing run through the defence, but Japan pulled level at 7-7 midway through the first half after lock Amato Fakatava’s try near the posts.
Argentina went ahead again when Mateo Carreras ended a counterattack with a try in the corner while Japan flanker Pieter Labuschagne was in the sin bin for a head high tackle.
However, with Emiliano Boffelli having missed that conversion and a prior penalty, the Japanese moved to within a point, 15-14 down, at halftime with their second breakaway try from scrumhalf Naoto Saito.
Carreras scored his second try early in the second half and his third after the Brave Blossoms had pulled back to within two points, including a fine drop goal by fullback Lomano Lemeki, and after Boffelli had gone over for the Pumas and replacement back Jone Naikabula for Japan.
Los Pumas finished as Pool D runners-up behind England and fixed a date against the Welsh in Marseille next weekend.
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