Los Pumas 7s faced a tough defeat against France, losing 26-14 in the quarter-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. As a result, they will compete for the fifth to eighth places on Saturday, July 27, against the All Blacks. This loss left the Argentine players reflecting on their emotions from the pitch, particularly Rodrigo Isgró, who offered some profound insights despite the disappointment of an elimination match.
After returning as a starter following a suspension and scoring one of the tries for Los Pumas, Isgró shared his feelings post-match. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play on such a significant stage. “I’m truly happy to have stepped onto the field at the Olympics. I have an incredible team that has supported me from day one, and that’s invaluable. It’s so much more than just winning a game. We were eager to leave with the gold medal, but no result can change what we experienced together as a team,” he said in an interview with TyC Sports.
Isgró emphasized the bonds formed during this journey, stating, “I take away something much richer than a medal—friendship, respect, solidarity. You wouldn’t believe the effort these guys put in to be here. We supported each other at every moment, and I am proud we represented our clubs, families, and all of Argentina.” His words resonated with a valuable life lesson about the importance of teamwork and relationships over mere victories.
The team captain, Santiago Álvarez, shared his perspective as well. Reflecting on their great expectations, he mentioned, “We came in with a huge dream—not just because of how we felt, but because of our performance throughout the year. It was within our reach, but we wasted the first half, and in a quarter-final, we can’t afford to do that.” His analysis of the match highlighted the pressure of competition.
Álvarez continued, “We are very sad because we’ve been waiting for this for four years. I hold onto what the team has accomplished over these years. It’s all very new to us. We finished first in the season; Rodri’s performance, Moneta’s injury… Those aren’t excuses, but we’ll be upset and stay motivated to fight for the team. Los Pumas 7 will continue to achieve great things.”
Finally, the head coach of the Argentine team, Santiago Gómez Cora, reflected on the day’s events, which included two losses to Australia and France. “It’s a privilege and a responsibility to coach this team and watch Seven all day, which I’m passionate about. The greater the hope, the harder the fall,” he noted.
Gómez Cora praised the growth of the sport, stating, “Rugby is now on the Olympic stage, and filling stadiums requires a significant effort. It’s a lesson learned that when you are a candidate, the pressure is greater, and the ball feels heavier. This was a long season, and we arrived at the Olympics, which is the most important thing, a little battered. We have a medal, we were contenders, but winning and losing is part of the game, and it stings. We need to learn how to navigate these critical moments.”
For more insights on the Olympic Games and current events, you can visit resources like Olympics.com or ESPN.
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