Argentina coach Mario Ledesma struggled to hold back the tears as his side claimed their first-ever win against the All Blacks on Saturday.
Playing in their first test in over 400 days, massive underdogs Argentina defied the odds to secure a 25-15 win at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney.
An inspired Nicolás Sánchez scored all of Argentina's points with a try, six penalties and a conversion - the most a Pumas player has ever scored against New Zealand.
Argentina was given virtually no chance of winning their tournament opener after being sidelined for such a long period by the global health crisis.
In September members of the squad - including Ledesma - tested positive for COVID-19 and their place in the tournament was in severe doubt.
But they overcame every hurdle thrown at them and spent six weeks in Australia, playing two warm-up games against an Australian XV in their only preparation for the tournament.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster even named his strongest possible side to avenge last week's shock loss to Australia.
"We have been through hell and... the boys just kept ticking, working and making efforts," says Ledesma.
"Just staying positive with everything that is going on, which in itself is already a lot. And then coming out here and playing the game that they played, it is just incredible - just so proud of them."
Ledesma says the win would go down as one of the best of his career.
"Myself, it has to be up there.
"As a coach, the best one because of everything we lived and experienced and the emotional journey.
"They just showed themselves as they are. Argentinian people are like that.
"I think for a long time we were copying what others were doing, but we are proud of being different. I am emotional, I haven't changed.
"Some of the boys haven't seen their families in four months and they haven't complained once."
Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has been working with the Pumas since they arrived in Australia and captain Pablo Matera says he's had a massive influence on the team.
"He just came to us, [on the] first day, and said, 'What are you waiting for? You've got everything, you've got big players, young players, you've got a lot of energy, just go and take it,'" says Matera.
"I think that made us believe a lot more in ourselves."
The All Blacks have a week off to reflect on the loss while Argentina is back in action next weekend against the Wallabies.
