- Argentina produced a stunning comeback to beat South Africa in the
rugby sevens QF at the Olympics. - Captain Gaston Revol was sent off early, leaving him to watch on from the sidelines in tears.
- After the win, Revol again could not contain his emotions, crying as he celebrated with teammates.
An Argentina rugby star who was sent off for a horrific tackle watched on from the sidelines crying as his teammates saved his bacon with an astonishing comeback win against South Africa.
Argentine captain Gaston Revol was shown a red card just shortly after South Africa had opened the scoring early on in the two nation's Rugby sevens quarterfinal clash at the Tokyo Olympics.
The 34-year-old had clothes-lined Selvyn Davids after the ball had gone, leaving the Blitzboks star requiring medical treatment.
After exiting the field, Revol broke down into tears on the sidelines.
-7Olympics (@7olympics) July 27, 2021
While the Argentine likely feared his dismissal would hamper his country's chances of making the last four - it instead did the opposite.
Fullback Marcos Moneta quickly scored two wonderful tries to send Los Pumas into half-time with an unlikely 14-7 lead.
Santiago Alvarez extended Argentina's lead after the break to seemingly wrap up the game, before a dramatic late penalty try to South Africa saw Lautaro Bazan Velez sent to the bin and Argentina have to play out the dying stages with just five men.
Santiago Gomez Cora's side held on, however, to secure a historic 19-14 win.
After the final whistle, a relieved Revol ran on to the pitch to celebrate with his teammates. He again could not hold back the tears, though this time for different reasons.
-Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) July 27, 2021
"We had a tough match, but we demonstrated what a team is," Moneta said.
"We thought of every little thing that we have left behind to be here, we are missing our families and friends, and with the pandemic it has been all the more difficult."
Argentina face favourite Fiji in the semifinals on Wednesday, July 28.