Gregor Townsend defended his players' performance under pressure
Scotland have incorporated fresh aspects and layers to their games in recent times, but what has never been eradicated is their vulnerability.
This weakness was revealed by an Argentina side who should have been finished well before their stunning turnaround.
Murrayfield was shell-shocked at the end, struggling to comprehend how this Scottish side succeeded to take a 21-0 lead against a Pumas side looking way below their best and go on to create the most dramatic of breakdowns to fall short by eight points.
The defeat by the New Zealand one week before was painful. This was worse. Significantly more troubling.
Performance Review
Argentina looked a less impressive copy of the side that overwhelmed Wales in historic fashion in Cardiff, and Scotland were in full dominance for the opening period.
They created three impressive scores, two from Ashman and one from Jack Dempsey.
At 21-0 up, they were stationed on the Argentina line, aiming to go for the killer blow. But, as has been the case on numerous occasions, rather than landing the killer blow, Scotland provided support to help their opponents off the floor.
Critical Moment
Finn Russell's ill-advised long arching pass was picked off, the Pumas charged forward, Blair Kinghorn was sent to the bin for illegally halting the attack, and the Argentina captain went over to inject energy into what had seemed a dying contest.
World-class teams, the finest squads in the world, navigate these moments. They take the sting out the game. Townsend's side are not built like that. They do not possess the game intelligence, the game understanding, the mentality to squeeze the momentum out of a match that should be firmly in their possession.
Familiar Problems
It echoed of Cardiff and the recent championship, when Scotland raced into a commanding position and looked for all the world like they were on course for a decisive win until the slightest hint of resistance caused alarm throughout the entire team.
On that day, they succeeded to regain composure from the point of collapse to win by a point, but the Pumas were in no frame of mind to permit recovery here.
After McKenzie came from the bench to break Scottish dreams against the All Blacks last week, another reserve entered the fray in the concluding period to take control.
Santiago Carreras was like a man possessed, emerging in every offensive move, discovering openings in a weakening Scottish backline and inspiring his team to raise their level.
Collapse Analysis
The hooker's try was the first of four in an incredible 18-minute spell in which the Scottish team completely collapsed. Finn's penalty temporarily halted the tide to make it a two-score game, but the momentum was at the Pumas' backs and Scotland looked powerless to reclaim the initiative.
Same Issues Once More for Scotland
When Piccardo went over to complete on a stunning comeback for the visitors, the home supporters moved toward the exits. They had observed plenty on this current match, and numerous have seen enough of this team struggling to kick on under Gregor Townsend.
Gregor Townsend cut a disconsolate figure at the conclusion. He acknowledged it simply wasn't acceptable, that his team were unable to cope with the momentum swing at a commanding lead, and they need to be improved.
The concern is it is the familiar difficulties that are emerging consistently. There is no comfort to be gained from playing well for chunks of games, from creating numerous opportunities and not capitalizing, from challenging top sides hard but not emerging victorious.
The coach denies the idea that his team lacks the mentality required to win the biggest games, but the indications is not in his favor.
Two significant World Cup pool games against the Irish team, in 2019 and 2023, remain vivid in the mind. When the pressure was at its maximum, when the big players and teams are expected to deliver under pressure, Scotland collapsed.
They have achieved significant, occasional victories in the tournament, but in the extended period on Townsend's watch, when the opportunity in the tournament has emerged to advance and properly challenge, they have struggled.
Gregor Townsend had his deal renewed to guide the team through the upcoming World Cup in the southern hemisphere, with the officials at Scottish rugby authorities confident that this side is on the verge of something successful.
Scotland has remained on the cusp for a considerable duration, and those supporters who audibly expressed dissatisfaction with their team from the home ground will feel within their rights to consider: can the progression finally happen? And could another coach do superior?
