No complaints for the Pumas

Argentina: bowed out in the final four

Hernán Alvarez, our man in Argentina, writes about the reaction to the result of the semi-final of the World Cup in which South Africa beat Argentina 37-13.

Argentina's media didn't criticise the Pumas defeat against the always powerful Springboks. On the contrary, the biggest newspapers and media emphasise the great way South Africa outplayed the men in light blue and white and also the great tournament Argentina enjoyed.

"Thanks a thousand, Pumas" titled sports newspaper Ole of Buenos Aires. "The dream is over for a team that suffered the rival's tremendous power today," wrote the journalist who covered the match in Paris. "The illusion came to an end" said La Voz del Interior of Córdoba while La Nación of Buenos Aires stated that "the dream is over for the Pumas".

The country's biggest newspaper Clarín of Buenos Aires said after the match on its website that the Springboks' victory was clear and it described South Africa as a very tough rival. "South Africa demolished the Pumas and is in the Rugby World Cup final" titled La Gaceta of Tucumán. This paper said Argentina's national team made many mistakes and wasn't precise when passing. "The Springboks knew how to get the most out of them (mistakes) and scored four tries that demolished the spirits of Loffreda's men," added La Gaceta.

"The dream is over" showed www.prematch.om.ar of Buenos Aires. They considered the Springboks' performance as faultless.

By Hernán Alvarez in Argentina.