Chile snatch first continental title with 28-27 comeback win over Argentina XV

Chile XV delivered the most remarkable result in their rugby history at the 2026 Americas Rugby Championship, overturning a 27-14 deficit in the final 15 minutes to beat Argentina XV 28-27 and claim the country’s first continental title.

Argentina XV, who had won the competition twice under their current name and five more times as the Jaguares, looked set to add another trophy to their collection after leading 15-7 at half-time. But Pablo Lemoine’s Chile side refused to yield, and with less than 30 seconds remaining, Ernesto Tchimino crossed the line to bring Los Cóndores within a single point. Matías Garafulic then converted from the sideline to complete a stunning turnaround.

Chile’s tries came from siblings Santiago and Benjamín Videla, Domingo Saavedra, and Tchimino — a fitting spread of scorers for a team effort that will be remembered as a watershed moment for South American rugby.

The tournament marked the return of the Americas Rugby Championship after a lengthy hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Argentina XV having won the last edition in 2019. Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina all competed with secondary sides, though the Cóndores and Uruguay’s Los Teros still included several senior internationals.

Chile had been in strong form throughout the competition. They opened with a 33-12 win over Uruguay — a feisty affair that produced one yellow card and three red cards, including the dismissal of Uruguayan hooker Joaquín Myszka for a no-arms tackle that seriously injured Chilean prop Emilio Shea. Myszka was subsequently suspended for 13 matches. Chile then beat Paraguay 54-26 in the second round, with Joaquín Milesi and Marco Alvano each scoring two tries, though Carlos Saavedra was sent off and missed the title decider.

Argentina XV had also been dominant, routing Paraguay 58-11 in their opener — with hooker Martín Vaca and Franco Rossetto among the standouts — before thrashing Uruguay 64-10 in round two, a match in which Luciano Avaca scored a hat-trick.

Uruguay recovered some pride in their final game, coming from 12-10 down at half-time to beat Paraguay 41-12 under interim leadership from Guzmán Barreiro.

Although the Americas Rugby Championship does not award official Test caps to three of the four participating nations, Chile’s triumph is no less significant. It marks the first time the country has won a continental rugby title, a historic milestone for a nation working to establish itself as a genuine force in the sport.