It was a fine performance which gave Pierre Berbizier his first win in charge of the Azzurri since taking the reins from John Kirwan and was largely down to a fine first-half display which saw the Italians lead 27-13 at the interval.

It was the Pumas who scored first when Pablo Bouza scored a try which was then converted by Federico Todeschini but Italy replied within two minutes with Ramiro Pez - Gert Peens added the extra two points.

Two Peens penalties for Italy and one from Todeschini took the score to 13-10 in Italys favour.

Sergio Parisse then touched down for Italy with Peens again converting before Todeschini landed another penalty for the Pumas.

Gonzalo Canale then notched Italys third try of the match with Peens again adding the extras to give the Azzurri a healthy interval lead.

All three of Italys tries had been scored by players born in Argentina.

Argentina rallied in the second period and two Todeschini penalties and a converted try from Bernardo Stortoni brought the score back to 27-26.

Peens then slotted a penalty to give some breathing space to Berbizier and his men.

Todeschini added three more points for Argentina for a personal points haul of 19 to add to the 30 he scored in the first Test victory.

In the closing stages, Italy had to defend without Santiago Dellape who was sin-binned but still managed to hang on for a famous win.

The Azzurri have never won an away match in their six seasons in the RBS 6 Nations competition and this win on enemy territory against one of the worlds strongest sides will be cause for celebration for Italian rugby.