SCENES: Chile celebrate RWC qualifcation
- 2266
Trailing for almost the entire tie, Chile pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat the United States and reach the Rugby World Cup.
Chile pulled off an upset by overcoming the United States 31-29 in Colorado on Saturday to qualify for the Rugby World Cup for the first time ever.
The South American nation lost last week's first leg 22-21 in Santiago, but pulled off a huge result away from home to advance by a single point on aggregate.
Not until the 75th minute of the second leg, when Santiago Videla kicked over a penalty, did Chile take the lead for the first time.
Pablo Lemoine's side, who were 19-0 down at one stage in the second leg, will now join England, Argentina, Japan and Samoa in Pool D at next year's tournament in France.
USA will have a second chance to advance when they compete in a final qualification tournament in November, where Portugal, Kenya and the loser of the Asia/Pacific play-off await.
Speaking on the back of an historic win for his side, Chile captain Martin Sigren said: "It really means so much... the sacrifices that this team has made.
"There were times when it seemed like it was uphill. I want to thank all the family who came here. They were the ones who kept us pushing."
The scenes after the match are as you would expect: Spectacular!
SCENES!! Chile qualify for #RWC2023 🇨🇱
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 16, 2022
pic.twitter.com/UXrbJH39Cg
C H I L E 🇨🇱 AL MUNDIAL! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/HKUDqMv6oT
— Rugby World Cup ES (@rugbyworldcupes) July 16, 2022
❤️ Fans ❤️@chilerugby pic.twitter.com/uWfEn9t8KZ
— Rugby World Cup ES (@rugbyworldcupes) July 16, 2022
No estoy llorando, se me metió la clasificación de @chilerugby a su primer Mundial de rugby en el ojo… 😍
— Rugby World Cup ES (@rugbyworldcupes) July 17, 2022
🇨🇱🛫🇫🇷 #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/WgOO9LMgm9
Chile have booked their spot at #RWC2023 🇨🇱
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 17, 2022
pic.twitter.com/YXqAqnxKdt
View this post on Instagram
