On June 28, 2008, Italy defeated Argentina 13-12 in Córdoba, securing a historic rugby victory decided in the game’s final moments.
Leonardo Ghiraldini scored the decisive try at the very end of the match, leaving Andrea Marcato to kick the conversion that clinched the narrow win, the Federazione Italiana Rugby reported. Years later, the former national team fly-half reflected on that tour, recalling a special season, the immense pressure of that final kick, and a chaotic return journey.
“È una partita che ricordo molto bene, anche perché non ho avuto tantissime occasioni di indossare la maglia dell’Italia e quella fu una vittoria davvero bella,” Marcato told the Federazione Italiana Rugby. He added that the triumph capped off an unexpected and dreamlike progression following the 2007 World Cup.
That fixture in Córdoba marked the final match of Italy’s international calendar that year. The Azzurri arrived in South America following a respectable defeat to South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town during the Springboks’ first outing since winning the 2007 World Cup.
“Arrivammo a quel tour con grande tranquillità e serenità,” Marcato told the Federazione Italiana Rugby, noting that the tight loss in South Africa had left the squad feeling confident and unified.
Against Argentina, Italy capitalized on an early turning point when Pumas playmaker Juan Martín Hernández suffered a hand fracture and left the pitch after 15 to 20 minutes. Marcato said that losing such a tactical reference point fundamentally altered how the match unfolded for the hosts.
With time expiring, Ghiraldini crossed the try line to bring Italy within striking distance before Marcato stepped up to take the winning conversion from a difficult angle on the right hash with a swirling wind.
“Della partita di Córdoba ricordo soprattutto la meta di Leonardo Ghiraldini all’ultimo secondo e il calcio che mi ritrovai a dover piazzare per vincere,” Marcato told the Federazione Italiana Rugby. Despite the unfavorable wind and his natural right-footed fade from right to left, the ball sailed cleanly between the uprights.
Celebration plans in Buenos Aires were immediately disrupted when heavy fog grounded flights out of Córdoba the following day. Team manager Carlo Checchinato attempted to delay departures, but the squad ultimately had to board two buses for an arduous 12-hour overnight journey across land to reach the capital just in time for their flight back to Rome.
Looking ahead at modern international fixtures, Marcato emphasized the fleeting nature of an athlete’s career and urged current players to savor every opportunity on the global stage. Shifting to the present day, the former fly-half expects a closely contested battle when Italy and Argentina meet again, noting that both squads face injury challenges and recent inconsistent form.
“Credo che entrambe le squadre arrivino da un periodo non particolarmente semplice,” Marcato told the Federazione Italiana Rugby, pointing out that disciplined forward play and a strong set-piece will be vital for the Azzurri.
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