The match, littered with blunders and errors, produced 32 penalties and four yellow cards. It remained far below the level of Friday's France-South Africa game, which ended 21-19.
Argentina beat Italy 19-14 on Saturday, November 14, 2026, in Genoa, in the fifth round of the Nations Championship.
The Pumas claimed their second victory of the competition at the end of a scrappy duel between two teams short of confidence.
The Italians failed to capitalize on Argentina's difficulties, particularly in the rucks, usually one of their strengths.
Still hesitant and nervous, the Pumas took the lead with two tries in five minutes, in the 54th minute and then the 59th, to lead 19-7.
A symbol of this scrappy match, Italy's Paolo Garbisi failed to find touch with a penalty that should have allowed his side to regain possession a few meters from the Argentine try line. The referee blew full time immediately afterward.