Argentina claimed third place in the World Cup after running in five tries past hosts France in an enthralling 34-10 play-off victory in Paris.

In an often ill-tempered affair, Felipe Contepomi (pictured) grabbed a brace as the Pumas closed out their World Cup adventure in style with a thoroughly deserved second victory over a disappointing France side.

Omar Hasan also touched down before the break after Contepomi had opened the Pumas' try account, while Federico Aramburu and Ignacio Corleto also got on the scoreboard in the second half.

Contepomi was also on target with a penalty and three conversions for a personal haul of 19 points, while France's sole try came from full-back Clement Poitrenaud late in the game.

Much was expected of a revamped France team after their semi-final defeat by England and although they appeared keen to put on a display of running rugby, they were too often directionless.

Argentina, on the other hand, stuck to their traditional forward game, backed up by the huge boot of fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez, and countered superbly off their numerous turnovers.

The Pumas scrapped for every ball and were determined to show that their opening night victory over the hosts, a win that set the tone for the whole World Cup, was no one off.

The intensity of the Pumas defence drew France into a forward scrap they did not want, and while the constant scuffles brought the best out of the South Americans, they proved a distraction for the home side.

It was a fitting send off for Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda who leaves the Pumas to take charge of English Premiership side Leicester next month.

France enjoyed a promising start and set out their stall early as fly-half Frederic Michalak and Poitrenaud spread the ball at every opportunity.

They were rewarded for their efforts in the 18th minute when the Pumas were penalised for tackling a man off the ball and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde stepped up to make it 3-0.

But they were then made to wait another 50 minutes for their next points and the Pumas fought back in style.

Contepomi levelled when Jerome Thion was caught playing the ball on the ground and gave them the lead 10 minutes later when he was put over in the corner by his outstanding skipper Agustin Pichot.

France seemed stunned by the, which had come against the run of play, and were caught napping five minutes later when Hasan finished off a superb forward drive to score the Pumas' second under the posts.

France regrouped and spent the remainder of the first half camped on the Pumas try-line. Crucially, the Pumas defence held firm and they took a 17-3 lead into the interval.

Both sides lost a man to the sin bin on the stroke of half time, Rimas Alvarez for persistent offending and France skipper Rafael Ibanez for a stray boot.

It proved to be Ibanez's final act of the match and France were to miss his leadership in the second half.

Although they started brightly after the break, with Aurelien Rougerie and Poitrenaud finding space, they failed to get points on the board from their regular forays into the Pumas half.

In the 53rd minute Argentina stunned their hosts once again when Corleto broke superbly from his own half. The ball was recycled swiftly and spread wide for Aramburu, who cut inside a weak Michalak tackle to go over in the corner.

France coach Bernard Laporte then made a number of changes that saw Sebastien Chabal come on, and Les Bleus seemed to pick up the tempo with their arrival.

But another counter attack from Argentina put paid to any thoughts of a France fight-back.

France conceded a turnover deep in the Pumas' half and after some slick handling by Contepomi and Horacio Agulla, Corleto was put clear and raced 70 metres to extend their lead to 27-3.

The French were staring down the barrel of a humiliating defeat and did well to reply through a converted Poitrenaud try in the 65th minute.

But it was to be their last score of the night as the Pumas, knowing they had the game won, countered at every opportunity.

They were rewarded for their sense of adventure when the superb Contepomi again launched a counter attack from his own half with three minutes remaining.

The Leinster centre was well supported by Juan Manuel Leguizamon, who had a huge impact off the bench, and after Hernandez was hauled down just short the ball came back quickly for Contepomi to crash over for his second try of the evening.

Two minutes later Leguizamon again broke free and Hernandez came close to scoring a sixth try after a neat chip over the France defence.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport