USA Rugby Holds On To Beat Spain After Furious Rally By España
USA Rugby Holds On To Beat Spain After Furious Rally By España
The USA Rugby team ended its European tour and 2024 season with a win over Spain.
USA Rugby trailed Spain 10-0 in the first half after captain Greg Peterson was handed a yellow card in the first 10 minutes, but the Eagles bounced back at full strength to take a 14-10 halftime lead during a 26-23 win in Madrid on Nov. 23.
Spain started the second half with an apparent try in the first 30 seconds, but on review, the try was waived off.
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It proved to be a pivotal moment as the Eagles built a 19-10 lead on a Mark O'Keeffe try and eventually went up 26-13 after Tavite Lopeti's second try of the match. But Spain never let up. They scored two tries in a six minute span and cut the lead to 26-23.
The Eagles held on in the final 10 minutes to close out the 2024 season with a big win and a three match sweep during its European tour of matches against Portugal, Tonga (in France) and Spain.
Relive the match below.
USA Rugby Beats Spain Rugby
That's it from Madrid! USA Eagles hold on for 26-23 win.
España Rugby Makes It A 3-Point Match
USA Rugby has seen Spain roar back in the match after its second try in seven minutes. Spain couldn't convert and it's now 26-23 in the 70th minute.
Spain number 8 Raphael Nieto bring his side back into the contest with a powerful surge from close range! Game on! 🇪🇸#ESPvUSA #USARugby pic.twitter.com/MC0N8ZIFum
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) November 23, 2024
Ensayo de Martiniano Cian.
— España Rugby (@ferugby) November 23, 2024
🇪🇸 23-26 🇺🇸
⌚️Minuto 69 #LoQueNosUne | #LosLeones
España Rugby Answers With Try
Spain now trails USA Rugby 26-18 in the 62nd minute.
62’ | A relentless Spain attack go for the score again and this time it sticks to close the score gap.
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 23, 2024
USA back to full strength.
USA 26-18 ESP#USAvESP | @FloRugby
Tavite Lopeti And Aj MacGinty Build USA Rugby Lead
Scott Lawrence's Eagles are rumbling through Spain! The power game is in full swing and Tavite Lopeti nabs his second try! 🇺🇸#USARugby #ESPvUSA pic.twitter.com/6lA0qp7uIN
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) November 23, 2024
54’ | Big USA push over the try line, TMO review calls the score for Tavite Lopeti 💥
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 23, 2024
MacGinty adds 2.
USA 26-13 ESP#USAvESP | @FloRugby
España Rugby Adds 3; Trail USA Rugby 19-13 In Second Half
Spain added three points off a penalty kick to cut into the Eagles' lead.It's now 19-13.
Mark O'Keeffe Builds USA Rugby Lead With First Try Of Second Half
The Eagles are rolling know. Mark O'Keeffe gives the Eagles a 19-10 lead.
Second Half Underway In Madrid
Follow the action live or watch on FloRugby.
A Tough Start But A Strong Ending, USA Rugby Takes Lead Into Half
It was a rough start all around for the Eagles who trailed 10-0, but after two tries late in the first half, the Eagles take the lead into the locker room.
Highlights: Tavite Lopeti Give USA Rugby The Lead
AGAIN! USA Rugby Scores To Take The Lead
30’ | Tavite Lopeti ‼️
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 23, 2024
Spain push the Eagles back but they turn on the physicality. Lopeti pushes away tacklers to add another USA try 💪
USA 14-10 ESP#USAvESP | @FloRugby
Nate Augspurger Gets USA Eagles On The Board
22’ | TRY TIME 💥
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 23, 2024
A rolling maul gives Nate Augspurger space on the wing to score. MacGinty +2, USA on the board.
USA 7-10 ESP#USAvESP
Watch USA Rugby vs. Spain
USA Rugby Trails 10-0 To Spain
16’ | PK for Spain after an offsides penalty.
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 23, 2024
USA back to full strength, let’s take back this game 👏
USA 0-10 ESP#USAvESP
Spain Rugby Scores First
10’ | Spain strike first on the power play off a scrum.
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 23, 2024
USA’s turn to respond.
USA 0-7 ESP#USAvESP | @FloRugby
Greg Peterson Gets a Yellow Card
Spain will have an advantage for the nest 10 minutes.
7’ | 🟨 to Greg Peterson, Spain have the advantage for the next 10.
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 23, 2024
USA 0-0 ESP#USAvESP | @FloRugby
USA Rugby Match Is Underway In Madrid
2’ | We’re underway, USA have the first scrum.
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 23, 2024
USA 0-0 ESP#USAvESP | @FloRugby
Let’s FLY 🦅
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 23, 2024
Watch LIVE now on @florugby pic.twitter.com/5M6B1LHBYr
Where Do USA Rugby Players Play Professionally?
Here's where the Eagles play when they aren't wearing red, white and blue:
- Jake Turnbull – Houston SaberCats (MLR)
- Kapeli Pifeleti – Saracens (Premiership, England)
- Paul Mullen – Utah Warriors (MLR)
- Jason Damm – Rugby ATL (MLR)
- Greg Peterson (C) – San Diego Legion (MLR)
- Vili Helu – New England Free Jacks (MLR)
- Cory Daniel – Old Glory DC (MLR)
- Paddy Ryan – New York Ironworkers (MLR)
- Ruben de Haas – Cheetahs
- AJ MacGinty – Bristol Bears (Premiership, England)
- Nate Augspurger – San Diego Legion (MLR)
- Tavite Lopeti – Seattle Seawolves (MLR)
- Dominic Besag – New England Free Jacks (MLR)
- Mark O'Keeffe – Rugby ATL (MLR)
- Erich Storti – Houston SaberCats (MLR)
Substitutes
- Sean McNulty – New York Ironworkers (MLR)
- Jack Iscaro – Old Glory DC (MLR)
- Pono Davis – NOLA Gold (MLR)
- Tomas Casares – Rugby ATL (MLR)
- Moni Tonga'uiha – Utah Warriors (MLR)
- Ethan McVeigh – Houston SaberCats (MLR)
- Noah Brown – San Diego Legion (MLR)
- Luke Carty – Chicago Hounds (MLR)
Kapeli Pifeleti abd AJ MacGinty will be playing in the Investec Champions Cup starting on Dec. 6.
España vs. USA Rugby Coin Toss
Coin toss ⚔️ @USARugby #LoQueNosUne | #LosLeones pic.twitter.com/yAvlULsxEP
— España Rugby (@ferugby) November 23, 2024
Spain vs. USA Rugby 2024 Stats
Here's a breakdown:
Spain; USA
- Kicks From Hand: 112; 77
- Points: 111; 84
- Carries: 219; 388
- Metres: 931; 1506
- Clean Breaks: 11; 17
- Defenders Beaten: 21; 78
- Offloads: 11; 14
- Passes: 270; 509
- Tackles: 471; 544
- Total Tackle Attempts: 0; 0
- Turnovers Conceded: 40; 50
- Yellow Cards: 4; 2
- Red Cards: 0; 1
USA Rugby: It's Go Time
𝙂 𝙊 𝙏 𝙄 𝙈 𝙀 »
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 23, 2024
Watch live on @florugby pic.twitter.com/b6DBjLBe9e
USA Rugby Lineups vs. Spain
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 21, 2024
Spain Rugby Lineup vs. USA Eagles
𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐨́𝐧 #LosLeones 🫡
— España Rugby (@ferugby) November 21, 2024
🗓️ 23/11/2024 (12:45 Horas)
🏟️ El Central, Madrid
📺 @teledeporte
🔗 Noticia completa: https://t.co/XwbB8W0VsO…#LoQueNosUne | #LosLeones pic.twitter.com/u24tkBNq6D
USA Rugby vs. Spain Kickoff Time
USA Rugby kicks off against Spain at 6:45 a.m. ET.
How To Stream USA Rugby vs. Spain
The USA Rugby match is streaming live on FloRugby and the FloSports app. Match replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms.
World Rugby Rankings 2024
- South Africa, 92.78
- Ireland, 90.78
- New Zealand, 90.09
- France, 88.08
- Argentina, 85.40
- Scotland, 82.70
- England, 82.31
- Australia, 82.17
- Fiji, 80.07
- Italy, 78.92
- Wales, 74.01
- Georgia, 73.85
- Japan, 72.95
- Samoa, 72.68
- USA, 68.90
- Portugal, 68.82
- Spain, 67.10
- Uruguay, 65.94
- Tonga, 65.46
- Romania, 64.13
When Does The 2024-2025 Investec Champions Cup Begin? When Is The Champions Cup Final?
The Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup begin Dec. 6, and the four-round pool-play action ends Jan. 19, 2025. The Round of 16 starts on April 4, while the quarterfinals are April 11-13. The semifinals are May 2-4.
The EPCR Championships weekend is in Cardiff, Wales at Principality Stadium. There are championship games on May 23 (EPCR Challenge Cup) and May 24 (Investec Champions Cup).
What Are The Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Pools?
Here are the pools:
Investec Champions Cup:
- Toulouse (Stade Toulousain)
- Bordeaux-Bègles (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
- Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Exeter Chiefs
- Leicester Tigers
- Ulster Rugby
Pool 2:
- Leinster Rugby
- Clermont Auvergne (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
- La Rochelle (Stade Rochelais)
- Bristol Bears
- Benetton Rugby
- Bath Rugby
Pool 3:
- Northampton Saints
- Munster Rugby
- Vodacom Bulls
- Stade Français Paris
- Saracens
- Castres Olympique
Pool 4:
- Glasgow Warriors
- Racing 92
- Sale Sharks
- DHL Stormers
- Toulon (RC Toulon)
- Harlequins
EPCR Challenge Cup
Pool 1:
- Cardiff Rugby
- Connacht Rugby
- Toyota Cheetahs
- Perpignan (USAP)
- Lyon Olympique Universitaire (Lyon O.U.)
- Zebre Parma
Pool 2:
- Montpellier Hérault Rugby
- Pau (Section Paloise)
- Newcastle Falcons
- Dragons RFC
- Emirates Lions
- Ospreys
Pool 3:
- RC Vannes
- Black Lion
- Bayonne (Aviron Bayonnais)
- Scarlets
- Edinburgh Rugby
- Gloucester Rugby
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