Argentina's dream World Cup continued in Paris on Sunday as they qualified for the semi-finals for the first time with a 19-13 win over Scotland.

Both sides scored a try apiece, Gonzalo Longo for Argentina and Chris Cusiter for the Scots - their first in three matches - while Felipe Contepomi kicked 11 of the Pumas' points.

Argentina will take on South Africa next Sunday for a place in the final.

"They had a stranglehold on the game and they are very difficult to play against," said Scotland coach Frank Hadden.

"They were a lot more mature in their decision-making around the ball but our young fellows will learn from that.

"We didn't play well enough. All credit to Argentina, they made life difficult for us."

Argentina skipper Agustin Pichot paid tribute to the Scots.

"We were a little tired but they played very well," said Pichot.

"We stuck to it and won. We wanted to get to the semi-finals."

The monotony of the early exchanges was broken when the Pumas won a penalty in the 14th minute for obstruction in the lineout but Felipe Contepomi missed a kickable pot at goal.

Instead it was the Scots who got the first points on the board as Dan Parks landed a penalty from just inside the Argentina half in the 17th minute.

Argentina levelled the scores in the 22nd minute as Felipe Contepomi slotted over a penalty after Nathan Hines was penalised for a high tackle on Juan Martin Hernandez.

The Australian-born Hines was seen to better effect a minute later as he nearly conjured a try by blocking Ignacio Corleto's clearing kick but the Puma fullback recovered well enough to touch it down before a Scottish player could get to the ball.

Felipe Contepomi gave Argentina the lead in the 29th minute as the battle of the boots continued, producing a delightfully executed penalty from wide out on the right.

Longo then charged down a clearance by Parks and beat both Sean Lamont and hooker Ross Ford to the ball to touch down. Felipe Contepomi converted to make it 13-3 with six minutes remaining of the first-half.

Chris Paterson reduced the Argentinians' lead in the 38th minute when he converted a penalty after their opponents were punished for offside.

Felipe Contepomi landed another penalty shortly after the break to make it 16-6.

Parks then produced a shocker of an effort which fell well short of the posts as the Scots tried to put pressure on their opponents.

Scotland paid the price in the 55th minute as Hernandez' proficiency at drop goals was brought in to play with good effect as he put one between the posts to make it 19-6.

However, the introduction of several replacements revitalised Scotland.

A storming run from prop Craig Smith and a break by Paterson ended with the ball being offloaded by Kelly Brown to Cusiter and he touched down in the corner.

Paterson converted to make it 19-13.

Scotland pushed hard for a winning try but the Pumas held firm to set up a semi-final against South Africa.

ARGENTINA 19 (Gonzalo Longo Elia try; Felipe Contepomi con 3 pens, Juan Martin Hernandez drop goal) bt SCOTLAND 13 (Chris Cusiter try; Dan Parks pen, Chris Paterson con, 2 pens).

Referee: Joel Jutge (FRA)

AFP