Leicester Tigers wing George Catchpole scored England's only try as they maintained their 100 per cent winning record at the Junior World Championship with a 17-16 win against Argentina.
But the defending champions needed a late penalty from Sam Olver to overcome the Los Pumitas and set up a semi-final clash with Ireland.
In torrential rain, Olver hit three penalties in the opening 25 minutes to put England 9-3 up. Argentina captain Patricio Fernandez brought the teams level with a penalty either side of the break.
England’s breakthrough eventually came with 55 minutes played when a quick pass from Aaron Morris found Catchpole out wide to dive over.
Replacement tighthead Harry Rudkin was sent to the bin for collapsing the scrum before Argentina created an overlap on the left and Emiliano Boffelli went over. Fernandez landed the conversion to put Argentina in front for the first time of the game.
England piled on the pressure in the dying minutes and were rewarded with a 79th minute penalty which Olver slotted over to seal the win.
Head coach Nick Walshe said: “The conditions were extremely tough, but it was the same for both teams and we’re just pleased to get the win.
“We know that we can play better, and we’ll have to up our game for the semi-final. We’re relishing the opportunity to play Ireland, they’ve had a good competition so far and it’ll be an interesting game.”
England U20
15 Aaron Morris (Bedford Blues)
14 George Catchpole (Leicester Tigers)
13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
12 Tom Stephenson (Northampton Saints)
11 Henry Purdy (Leicester Tigers)
10 Sam Olver (Northampton Saints)
9 Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby, captain)
1 Alex Lundberg (London Wasps)
2 Jack Walker (Leeds Carnegie)
3 Biyi Alo (Saracens)
4 Jordan Onojaife (Northampton Saints)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
6 Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Saracens)
7 Cameron Neild (Sale Sharks)
8 James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Replacements
16 Tom Woolstencroft (Bath Rugby) on for Cameron Neild 65 mins
17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints) on for Alex Lundberg 66 mins
18 Harry Rudkin (Leicester Tigers) on for Biyi Alo 40 mins
19 Maro Itoje (Saracens) on for Charlie Ewels 40 mins
20 Gus Jones (London Wasps) on for Jack Walker 55 mins
21 Henry Taylor (Loughborough University) on for Callum Braley 68 mins
22 Billy Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
23 Nathan Earle (Saracens)
But the defending champions needed a late penalty from Sam Olver to overcome the Los Pumitas and set up a semi-final clash with Ireland.
In torrential rain, Olver hit three penalties in the opening 25 minutes to put England 9-3 up. Argentina captain Patricio Fernandez brought the teams level with a penalty either side of the break.
England’s breakthrough eventually came with 55 minutes played when a quick pass from Aaron Morris found Catchpole out wide to dive over.
Replacement tighthead Harry Rudkin was sent to the bin for collapsing the scrum before Argentina created an overlap on the left and Emiliano Boffelli went over. Fernandez landed the conversion to put Argentina in front for the first time of the game.
England piled on the pressure in the dying minutes and were rewarded with a 79th minute penalty which Olver slotted over to seal the win.
Head coach Nick Walshe said: “The conditions were extremely tough, but it was the same for both teams and we’re just pleased to get the win.
“We know that we can play better, and we’ll have to up our game for the semi-final. We’re relishing the opportunity to play Ireland, they’ve had a good competition so far and it’ll be an interesting game.”
England U20
15 Aaron Morris (Bedford Blues)
14 George Catchpole (Leicester Tigers)
13 Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
12 Tom Stephenson (Northampton Saints)
11 Henry Purdy (Leicester Tigers)
10 Sam Olver (Northampton Saints)
9 Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby, captain)
1 Alex Lundberg (London Wasps)
2 Jack Walker (Leeds Carnegie)
3 Biyi Alo (Saracens)
4 Jordan Onojaife (Northampton Saints)
5 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
6 Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Saracens)
7 Cameron Neild (Sale Sharks)
8 James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Replacements
16 Tom Woolstencroft (Bath Rugby) on for Cameron Neild 65 mins
17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints) on for Alex Lundberg 66 mins
18 Harry Rudkin (Leicester Tigers) on for Biyi Alo 40 mins
19 Maro Itoje (Saracens) on for Charlie Ewels 40 mins
20 Gus Jones (London Wasps) on for Jack Walker 55 mins
21 Henry Taylor (Loughborough University) on for Callum Braley 68 mins
22 Billy Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
23 Nathan Earle (Saracens)
