Wales raced into a 24-7 lead at half-time with tries from Gareth Thomas, Alun-Wyn Jones and Mark Jones before the Pumas hit back.

Ignacio Corleto, who had opened the scoring for Argentina inside four minutes, added a second try and Federico Todeschini’s boot dragged the Pumas to within a converted try.

Wales were forced into some desperate defence in the closing minutes but held out under immense pressure to secure morale-boosting victory.

Martyn Williams put Pichot under huge pressure and stripped the ball from the Argentina scrum-half. Shanklin spotted a gap, attacked around the fringes and broke into clear ground only to be called back for obstruction.

Todeschini slotted a second penalty to bring Argentina within a converted try.

With less than three minutes remaining the Pumas forced Wales back onto their own line as Todeschini fired a brilliant penalty into touch just five metres out.

Hooker Matthew Rees was sin-binned for deliberate off-side as Wales threw bodies in the way in a desperate attempt to keep Argentina out.

At the third time of asking, Pumas replacement forward Martin Durand was driven over the line but he spilled the ball as he tried to ground it and Wales received a huge let-off.