Argentina beat Japan in thriller to reach quarter-finals
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Mateo Carreras scored a try hat-trick as Argentina booked a quarter-final against Wales with a thrilling 39-27 victory over Japan in a Pool D shoot-out in Nantes.
Centre Santiago Chocobares gave Argentina the perfect start with a try within 70 seconds, but Japan responded with second-row Amato Fakatava popping up on the wing and collecting his own clever chip to score.
Carreras regained the lead with the Brave Blossoms a man down with Pieter Labuschagne sin-binned, but scrum-half Naoto Saito crossed to reduce their deficit to 15-14 at half-time at Stade de la Beaujoire.
Carreras and Emiliano Boffelli both raced over, but then after replacement Jone Naikabula responded to keep Japan within two points the winger completed his hat-trick to seal the last eight tie with Wales in Marseille on Saturday, 14 October.
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