INTERNATIONAL TEST Argentina 12 Italy 13: ITALY GRABBED a late try and conversion to squeeze past Argentina 13-12 in Cordoba on Saturday, handing the Pumas a second successive home defeat.

Replacement Leonardo Ghiraldini was judged to have scored in the 80th minute after a maul crossed the line, a decision hotly contested by Argentina, who were playing their third and final home game of the year.

Andrea Marcato then converted to give Italy their second win in 15 meetings with the Pumas. Despite the dramatic finale, it was a generally disappointing, scrappy encounter.

Argentina had at one stage led 12-0 after Juan Hernandez booted two penalties in the opening six minutes followed by another two from Marcelo Bosch.

But Hernandez also went off with a broken hand which is expected to sideline him for two months.

Marcato reduced the arrears with a penalty for Italy before halftime and another eight minutes after the break.

It was only the third match for Argentina since they finished third at last year's World Cup. Their previous two games, under coach Santiago Phelan, were at home to Scotland this month, winning 21-15 and losing 26-14.

Good scrummaging from Italy set up Ghiraldini's try and Marcato calmly converted for an improbable victory. Despite the drama, the match was not a great spectacle, with referee Matt Goddard awarding 30 penalties.

ARGENTINA: Stortoni; Borges, Bosch, Avramovic, Agulla; Hernandez, Vergallo; Leguizamon, Galindo, Durand; Lozada, Carizza; Gomez, Tejeda, Roncero (capt). Replacements: Aramburu for Hernandez (18 mins); Ledesma for Leguizamon, Stuart for Carizza (both 76 mins)

ITALY: Italy: Marcato; Robertson, Mirco Bergamasco, Garcia, Pratichetti; McLean, Picone; Parisse (capt), Mauro Bergamasco, Sole; Fava, Dellape; Nieto, Ongaro, Rouyet. Replacements: Zanni for Sole (58 mins); Reato for Dellape (64 mins); Canavosio for Picone (65 mins); Morena for Rouyet (68 mins); Ghiraldini for Ongaro (71 mins)

Referee: M Goddard(Australia).