Argentina 12-35 England: Steve Borthwick's side claim impressive victory over the Pumas despite being without 13 players on Lions duty

Chelsea fan George Ford celebrated England's victory on his 100th cap having been inspired by messages from Frank Lampard, John Terry and former prime minister Tony Blair.

Fly-half Ford received video tributes from the trio as well as adventurer Bear Grylls, cricket stars Freddie Flintoff and Joe Root and team-mate Owen Farrell on the eve of his big day.

He responded by kicking 15 points as England, with four second-half tries by Tom Roebuck (2), Freddie Steward and Cadan Murley, ran out winners in the opening game of this two-Test series.

'We just wanted to perform well and win tonight,' said Ford. 

'We were under pressure in the first half, gave away too many penalties and could not get out of our half. We have to back it up next week and we know Argentina will come back at us.'

The joy of Ford, the nation's third-highest points scorer in a Red Rose career dating back to 2014, was shared by half-back partner Ben Spencer, who also breathed a huge sigh of relief.

The Bath scrum-half had failed to register a single victory in eight previous caps since his debut seven years ago.

Spencer, 32, would have been only human to wonder if he had somehow upset the rugby gods as one loss followed another.

Some wondered if he was cursed during a run which saw England blow a 31-0 lead against Scotland in 2019 and, last autumn, cough up victory to Australia on the final play of the game.

In all, 10 scrum-halves have been used by England since Spencer came on the scene and all but he savoured the taste of victory.

Until the second half, however, it was by no means certain Spencer's misery would end. England played the opening 40 on the back foot. 

The home crowd smelled blood and it came, literally, moments later as Alex Coles caught ball-carrying No 8 Facundo Isa head on head and was sent to the sin bin.

Down to 14, England looked there for the taking, yet held firm.

Time and again Argentina were held up over the try line, first by prop Joe Heyes, then a combined effort of Jamie George, Tom Willis and Seb Atkinson, then again by George and Sam Underhill.

When Santi Carreras missed a sitter in front of the posts, they may have thought back to Marseille and the 2023 World Cup where, despite a man advantage for 75 minutes, they were well beaten.

They certainly were beaten a minute later when Ford slotted a drop goal with that dependable right boot. Felipe Contepomi's men kept coming and England were quickly back manning the pumps.

The pressure told, with Atkinson following Coles to the bin for an offside, yet even down to 13 men they somehow kept their hosts at bay.

England emerged after half-time full of belief and they made the Pumas pay.

Within two minutes Roebuck had his first, put over in the corner by Ford and Steward. 

Five minutes later Ford zinged a pass to Steward for the second. And Roebuck then helped himself to his second from a Heyes pass.

Argentina finally found a cutting edge. Pablo Matera and Pedro Rubiolo pulled back tries before Murley came off the bench to score England's fourth.