Argentina 15-29 Australia Rugby World Cup RESULT: Follow as Wallabies face Pumas at Twickenham in bid to book final spot

What an exhilarating weekend of rugby it's been. First New Zealand narrowly defeated South Africa, 20-18, at Twickenham on Saturday, before Australia beat their plucky Argentine opponents, 29-15, on Sunday. Be sure to join Sportsmail for more LIVE Rugby World Cup coverage, as the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in the tournament finale at 4pm (GMT) next Saturday.

Credit to the Argentines for a gutsy effort after half-time. They dominated the second half and put the Wallabies under huge pressure but ultimately they lacked the finesse and precision when opportunities presented themselves. The performance of winger Santiago Cordero summed up the whole occasion for the Pumas; he was lively and dangerous when given any space, but showed an utter lack of composure with his decision-making and execution. Yet, this was an impressive campaign for the South Americans and with so many young players in their ranks, the future looks bright.

So, Australia v New Zealand in the final next Saturday. The All Blacks will be clear favorites to retain their title but the Wallabies have beaten them once this year already and Michael Cheika will be quite content to circle the wagons and drum up a sense of indignation in his squad about being cast as Kiwi cannon-fodder. The breakdown battle between David Pocock and Richie McCaw promises to be an absorbing spectacle and a decisive factor in the outcome.

Santiago Cordero looks as sprightly as he did in the first 10 minutes and is causing Oz all sorts of problems. Other players are going through too but getting hit and there are some tired looking passes elsewhere. AA-C boots clear but Argentina return again...

Mitchell's pass went forward! It should have been checked. The English referee Wayne Barnes has made a howler here. Mitchell looked surprised when he touched down.

FANTASTIC piece of wing play from Drew Mitchell! He cuts in from the touchline and gives it the gas, committing a plethora of Argentina defenders through the centre of the park. It looks like he could be through himself but eventually shovels a ropey pass to AA-C who collects and goes over easily for his hat-trick. Foley kicks superbly between the sticks.

Mumm and Phipps have come on for tryscorer Simmons and Genia. But Argentina are on the attack once more. Michael Cheika is animated on the touchline. He needn't be too worried though by the looks of things as his team are holding firm and it's slow ball from the Pumas.

It doesn’t look like Israel Folau is particularly happy with events today. He managed to recover from injury just in time to play in this match but he was unable to impose himself before being replaced and he has been prowling around the area in front of Australia’s bench – pacing back and forth, shaking his head. Team-mates and coaches have been offering support and reassurance but the full-back is despondent.

Will Genia with the mini-Garryowen to himself and he's nearly in but the bounce goes to Cordero! An exchange of punts forward concludes with an Australia penalty for offside against Argentina's chasers. After some phases of play Toby Smith carries brilliantly but Argentina get their hands on it and kick clear and long.

Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino has been bright since coming on and Argentina are on the attack. But Australia are so good at the breakdown and make their ninth turnover of the match. So close to the try line for the Argentines and groans ring out as Australia kick clear.

Tatafu Polota-Nau has come on for Australia and he has already made a great carry driving five metres over the gain line. The 30-year-old hooker could be vital for the Wallabies in seeing out this game.

Very, very strong scrummaging from Argentina. This forward pack is a bit special. The penalty kick from the Pumas was a good one too, into touch on the left-hand side just inside the Aussie half of the pitch.

Physical spell from Australia and then Foley creates something. The electric Beale chipped to him and he looped one on the bounce to Ashley-Cooper out wide but some terrific scrambled Pumas defence sees the ball knocked on, much to the crowd's delight.

David Pocock is a phenomenon. The man is a machine. If Argentina are going to have any chance of turning the tables here, they must get more close support for their ball-carriers and clear the Wallabies No 8 out of rucks in an instant because once he is set in the ‘jackal’ position over the ball, he is an immovable object. No-one in the world can match his ability to win turn-overs.

The game has opened up, as have the gaps in both back lines - just what Argentina need! Tevita Kuridrani went in over the top and put his hands on the ball gifting Argentina a penalty. The Pumas kick to the corner looking for a try. Montoya throws in and Argentina have another penalty, closer in - Simmons was penalised for contact in the air. Sanchez kicks this time, and does so well... of course.

Argentina are going from slow ball to quick ball superbly, pressing the Australians in Wallabies territory. They then have to recycle from deep and what a run from Tuculet to break through. Still Argentina ball and they win a penalty!

Foley restores Australia’s nine-point advantage. Wallabies had won a penalty after Lobbe went in off his feet on the Pumas' 10 metre line. Meanwhile, Matt Giteau - who was just crunched on the touchline - has gone off for Kurtley Beale.

Argentina have won two penalties subsequently. Similar to the first half, a sloppy first couple of minutes for the Pumas before an instant reply. Argentina have gone back to basics. Slipper had folded in and Pumas won their third scrum penalty.

Early penalty for the Wallabies. But it's a let off for the Pumas as Foley sends his kick wide. Fardy had stolen the ball from the Argentines and Australia got the penalty when the Pumas went off their feet.

Sportsmail's Sir Clive Woodward doesn't think so...

Argentina are on the front foot with quick ball. No 14 Cordero bursts away with guile and gives it to Hernandez. His pass out the back of the hand just can't find Tuculet cleanly who knocks on! Agony for Pumas fans and it's a scrum to the Aussies.

This may be over as a contest already. Argentina are now without their influential captain, Agustin Creevy – meaning the Wallabies can expect even more dominance at the breakdown – and the worrying issue for the South Americans is that there must be question marks over their fitness. Even when reduced to 14 men, they were sluggish in defence in the build-up to Adam Ashley-Cooper’s second try. There were alarming signs that there fabled spirit is already broken. Pumas fans and neutrals will hope that is not the case or this could become a brutal rout.

Sekope Kepu is punished for going in off his feet and from fully 36 metres, Sanchez kicks over with ease.

With the Wallabies swarming forward, 14-men Argentina were all at sea. Simmons had a go, then Mitchell. Australia then recycled it well, with numbers wide left and AA-C finished in the corner after a pass from Matt Giteau. The conversion was missed. Before that one of Argentina's best players, Creevy picked up an injury and was replaced by Julian Montoya. 

A player light, Argentina gave away a penalty for side entry. Foley kicked to the corner looking for a try but Argentina defended the first maul well and Agustin Creevy then held it up to win a scrum. They then won a penalty after more great work.

Uproar here over that decision to sin-bin Argentina lock Tomas Lavanini. Loud booing aimed at English referee Wayne Barnes after he showed the yellow card having consulted the TMO over Lavanini’s tackle on Israel Folau where there was no use of the arms. Strictly-speaking, to the letter of the law, it was an offence - but it by no means dangerous and replays suggested he belatedly tried to wrap his arms around the carrier but Folau’s legs were already beyond his grasp.

Slipper by name, Slipper by nature. Replacement Wallaby loose head James Slipper taken to the cleaners at the scrum by Ramiro Herrera. Penalty. Nicolas Sanchez narrows the deficit with three points.

Argentina's No 5 comes from a distance and leads with his arm so Barnes has no choice but to sin bin him. Brilliant communication from the referee and TMO to make the decision - Barnes asked the TMO to not watch it in slowmo.

James Slipper went to ground under big pressure from the colossal Ramiro Herrera to win the penalty on the left side. With a beautiful subsequent kick Sanchez took his tournament tally to 77, more than any other player.

Pocock does well to win another turnover with Argentina deep in Australian territory. Scrum to Australia, five yards from their own line - they must win it. But it's a big shove from Argentina and they win a penalty! Sanchez sinks his kick from out wide.

English referee Wayne Barnes gives Rob Simmons a telling off. Tuculet takes the ball on the bounce and he’s wrapped up, but Simmons goes off his feet and in from the side.

This won’t be much of a contest for long if the Argentina players don’t settle down and overcome their initial stage fright. The knock-on by Santiago Cordero in his own 22 which gifted Australia the attacking scrum which in turn led to Adam Ashley-Cooper’s try was symptomatic of a wider problem for the Pumas. Their young team has seemed somewhat over-awed so far at this exalted level and technical errors have already been compounded by several examples of poor decision-making. If they can’t conquer the inner tension then they are doomed to a grisly fate.

Australia all over Argentina here but a classy piece of defensive play from Santiago Cordero has the Pumas fans cheering. He collects the ball with his back to play and steps right, then left, to escape AA-C brilliantly and clear long.

Here're two photographs of Simmons' try...

Australia so quick and decisive! They've scored again, this time out wide. Beautiful long, looped ball over the top from Foley in the backs to AA-C who touches down out wide. Superb kick from Foley for two more points.

Lovely response from the Pumas after an atrocious first couple of minutes. Penalty given to Argentina for offside and Sanchez makes no mistake with the kick..

Ferocious work from the Wallabies at the breakdown and Michael Hooper's not even involved. Argentina have kicked long now and need an immediate reply. Oh and Argentina break through a huge gap - try-saving tackle from Foley!

Loose, open start from the maverick Argentines! They almost lose the ball after a looped pass is just not collected by an Australian. Then Sanchez looks speculative with his footwork and gives the ball away sloppily with a silly pass in his own half to second row Rob Simmons who bursts through. The quickest try at the World Cup so far! Foley converts well.

The stage is set at Twickenham for an intriguing second World Cup semi-final. The place is full and the Argentina fans – including Diego Maradona – are in boisterous mood. The Pumas have a genuine chance in this game, but first they will win the anthems hands-down!

Some early excitement as Diego Maradona pops up on the big screen. He’s Argentina’s most famous No 10, but Pumas fly-half Nicolas Sanchez has been winning a few fans of his own recently.

SAM PETERS: Argentina have been one of the surprise packages of the World Cup, reaching only their second semi-final with a string of impressive displays.

They have crushed Georgia, Tonga and Namibia, followed by last weekend’s stunning 40-23 demolition of Ireland.

Here we take a look at some of the key figures in their success.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Bienvenido los Pumas. There’s a fresh, different feel around Twickenham today. Plenty of leather ranch jackets and oversized blue and white hats on display. The walkway between the station and the stadium came to a standstill because of a group of signing and dancing Argentines. Reminds me of the carnival atmosphere at Boca v River in Buenos Aires. The South Americans aren’t regular visitors at HQ but they’ll definitely be remembered. 

ARGENTINA

Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Marcelo Bosch, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff, Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Marco Ayerza, Agustin Creevy, Ramiro Herrera, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Leonardo Senatore.

Replacements: Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera, Juan Figallo, Matias Alemanno, Facundo Isa, Tomas Cubelli, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.

AUSTRALIA

Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Bernard Foley, Will Genia; James Slipper, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Toby Smith, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.