Argentina are set to play Wales in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after they beat Japan 39-27 in a thrilling encounter in Nantes on Sunday.

In a thrilling game in Nantes on Sunday, Mateo Carreras scored a hat-trick of tries as Argentina beat Japan 39–27. The win put Argentina in a World Cup quarterfinal match against Wales.

The Pumas came in second place in Pool D, behind England. They will play Wales next weekend in Marseille. Japan didn’t make it to the knockout phase because they lost.

“We like to be a fighting team and we fight for everything, but the resilience of this team is what makes the difference here. I am really proud of the team on how we fought,” said Argentina captain Julian Montoya.

“We want to win every game, we started the game with England not the way we wanted to and we were upset with our performance,” he added in reference to an opening pool 27-10 loss to the English followed up by victories over Samoa (19-10) and Chile (59-5).

Kazuki Himeno, Montoya’s rival, declared himself “really disappointed” with the outcome.

“We talked about climbing Mount Everest, we didn’t get to the summit and have the Cherry Blossoms at the top. However, our legacy and the culture of Japanese rugby will continue and believe we will improve from now on.”

Argentina eventually defeated the Brave Blossoms by a score of five tries to three in a thrilling match played at the Stade de la Beaujoire in beautiful, sunny weather.

The Pumas got off to a flying start with Santiago Chocobares receiving the ball right away after Marcos Kremer had pounded Himeno from the kick-off and produced a driving maul.

With only two minutes remaining, the Toulouse centre broke a midfield tackle and avoided fullback Lomano Lemeki to score an incredible try. Boffelli made the extras with Emiliano.

A scrum penalty allowed Japan to advance into Argentinian territory. Lemeki caught Naoto Saito’s dink over the top and put it right where Michael Leitch had done well to hold on to a bobbling ball.

Argentina cleared their lines, but the play that followed was excellent. Japan quickly moved the ball to the left, where Leitch attracted two defenders and quickly passed the ball to the aggressive lock Amato Fakatava.

With the ball in one outstretched hand, Fakatava ran past the first defender before chipping ahead.

Rikiya Matsuda successfully added the extra point after the Tongan-born lock collected the ball and galloped over for a superb individual try.

Pieter Labuschagne, a flanker for Japan, was given a yellow card in the 22nd minute for a high tackle on Pumas forward Thomas Gallo, but Boffelli missed the penalty.

But only a few minutes later, Juan Cruz Mallia scored Argentina’s second goal by leaping high to stop a soaring Kotaro Matushima up-and-under.

When right winger Matsushima was out of position, scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou found Mateo Carreras to step around Lemeki for a straight run in to the line after Mallia had split the defence.

Boffelli failed to make the conversion, but he made the penalty to give Los Pumas a 15-7 lead.

Japan quickly rallied, somewhat against the flow of the game. Saito was found inside by Siosaia Fifita for another stunning try, which Matsuda converted to make the score one point at the break.

After excellent work by Chocobares, Carreras scored his second try to give Argentina the lead early in the second half. Boffelli made a change.

Lemeki scored a long-range drop goal and Matsuda saved a penalty for Japan in a thrilling game that neither team could win.

With another skillfully executed attempt, Argentina responded, with Boffelli crossing in the corner. As the third quarter began, the score was 29-20 after his conversion.

Matsuda chose to kick for the corner instead of a shot at goal while keeping that deficit in mind.

After multiple phases and a penalty, Saito worked the ball right and Jone Naikabula crashed , Matsuda converting to ensure a nerve-racking final 10 minutes.

Any Argentinian anxiety was allayed as Carreras skipped through a tiring defence for his third try, under the posts.

Nicholas Sanchez converted and added a late penalty to set up a mouth-watering last-eight clash with Wales.