The touring Ireland side, seeking to settle an old score with their World Cup conquerors, went down fighting to Argentina 32-25 in an international friendly oin Buenos Aires.
Warren Gatland's men led three times in the second half as they attempted to heal that old wound inflicted by the Pumas in Lens, France, last winter.
But the Irish wilted late on, and tries from Northampton prop Martin Scelzo and right-wing Octavio Bartolucci saw Argentina, under new coach Marcelo Loffreda, run out relatively comfortable winners.
Ireland's left-wing Justin Bishop and centre Rob Henderson both crossed after the break as the lead see-sawed between the sides, and Ireland led 18-17 when fly-half David Humphreys -- having missed three conversions and a penalty -- finally landed a penalty.
But Ireland, who will complete their three-Test tour with matches against the USA and Canada, faded badly.
Pumas fly-half Gonzalo Quesada missed an early conversion attempt after full-back Ignacio Carleto had claimed the opening try but then found his range to contribute 19 points with five penalties and two conversions.
Argentina made the early running, and the Irish had to ride their luck.
Malcolm O'Kelly charged down an attempted dropped goal by Quesada. Then swift handling left right-wing Bartolucci with a clear run to the line only for the referee to blow up for crossing and award a penalty to the tourists.
The Pumas broke the deadlock in the 14th minute with a try from full-back Carleto. The Irish scrum, under increasing pressure, was turned -- and Pumas captain and scrum-half Agustin Pichot took a short pass from number eight Gonzalo Longo before delivering an inch-perfect kick to the corner where Carleto touched down.
Quesada missed with the conversion.
Ireland stunned the Pumas by drawing level with an O'Kelly try in the 21st minute. A powerful drive from number eight Anthony Foley stretched the home defence, and the towering St Mary's College lock O'Kelly took advantage to power over from close range. Humphreys was off target with his attempted conversion.
Ireland conceded a 25th-minute penalty on their 10-metre line. But Quesada's kick was right of the posts, and the fly-half was way off target with a drop-goal attempt.
Five minutes from the break Quesada dropped Pichot's pass in his 22, and an infringement in the ensuing ruck gave Humphreys a straightforward chance to kick the tourists ahead from in front of the posts -- but he missed to the left.
Quesada landed a penalty from just outside the Irish 22 to give the Pumas an 8-5 lead.
Ireland regained the lead seven minutes into the second half with a sparkling try created by right-wing Shane Horgan and scored by Bishop.
Horgan appeared in the line outside Humphreys and punched a big hole in the Pumas' defence before off loading to full-back Peter McKenna who sent Bishop over in the corner.
Humphreys was off target with the conversion, but Ireland were ahead for the first time at 10-8.
But their lead was shortlived as Quesada landed a penalty to edge the Pumas back in front 11-10.
Unruffled Ireland swiftly regained the initiative with Henderson storming over for a try in the corner with the home defence in tatters.
Humphreys again failed to tag on the extra two points, but the Irish led The Pumas were inches away from reclaiming the lead minutes later. Carleto burst past McKenna and forced his way over the line but he had put a foot in touch and the score was ruled out.
Quesada pulled the Pumas back to within a point with his third penalty and kicked a fourth 10 minutes from time to give the hosts a 17-15 lead.
But with seven minutes remaining the Irish were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and, having missed three conversions and a penalty, Humphreys finally broke his duck to kick Ireland ahead again at 18-17.
But then Ireland wilted as the Pumas prepared for the kill.
The Teams:
Argentina: 1 Mauricio Reggiardo, 2 Federico Mendez, 3 Martin Scelzo, 4 Alejandro Allub, 5 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Rolando Martin, 7 Santiago Phelan, 8 Gonzalo Longo Elia, 9 Agustin Pichot, 10 Gonzalo Quesada, 11 Diego Albanese, 12 Juan Fernandez Miranda, 13 Eduardo Simone, 14 Octavio Bartolucci, 15 Ignacio Corletto
Reserves: Manuel Contepomi
Unused: Agustin Canalda, Jose Cilley, Fernando Diaz Alberdi, Nicolas Fernandez Miranda, German Llanes, Lucas Ostiglia
Ireland: 1 Peter Clohessy, 2 Keith Wood, 3 John Hayes, 4 Mick Galwey, 5 Malcolm O'Kelly, 6 Simon Easterby, 7 Anthony Foley, 8 David Wallace, 9 Peter Stringer, 10 David Humphreys, 11 Shane Horgan, 12 Rob Henderson, 13 Kevin Maggs, 14 Justin Bishop, 15 Peter McKenna
Reserves: Mike Mullins, Justin Fitzpatrick, Ronan O'Gara, Andy Ward
Unused: Bob Casey, Simon Easterby, Frankie Sheahan
Attendance: 25000
Referee: Watson a.
Points Scorers:
Argentina
Tries: Bartolucci O. 1, Corletto I. 1, Scelzo M. 1
Conv: Quesada G. 2
Pen K.: Quesada G. 5
Ireland
Tries: Henderson R.A.J. 1, O'Kelly M.E. 1, Bishop J.P. 2
Pen K.: Humphreys D.G. 1
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