Italy 14-19 Argentina - Nations Championship result as Paolo Garbisi throws away huge opportunity for first win in 18 years

Argentina held on to beat Italy 19-14 in a curious Nations Championship match that saw both sides spurn chance after chance to take control in Genoa.

Italy only had 37% possession but enjoyed more clear-cut chances to score and turned down several shots at goal to kick to the corner, only to botch their lineout drill on multiple occasions when it mattered most.

Argentina came away empty-handed from Italy’s 22 time after time but ultimately stretched their winning streak over the Azzurri to ten matches thanks to tries from Bautista Bernacsoni, Rodrigo Isgro and Mateo Carreras.

Italy raced out of the blocks and took the lead after just four minutes when a beautiful Leonardo Marin grubber sat up perfectly for Monty Ioane to score.

Yet that was as good as it got in an attacking sense for Italy, who struggled to break the Argentina line with ball in hand.

And after the hosts fumbled two lineouts 10 metres out from the tryline - including against 14 men - Los Pumas made them pay when Bernasconi touched down for a debut try at the back of a maul.

Despite Mateo Carreras' disallowed try early in the second half, Argentina finally took the lead for the first time when the other winger Isgro exploited an overlap to score against the overstretched Italian defence.

Five minutes later, Carreras gathered Tomas Albornoz’s pop pass to dive over and stretch the lead, yet it only held for a matter of moments as Italy scored a penalty try and Joel Scalvi was sent to the sin-bin.

However, despite a second yellow card for Efrain Elias minutes later, Italy couldn’t capitalise and when they did win a last-gasp penalty in the opposition half, Paolo Garbisi was too aggressive with his kick and sent it past the tryline meaning Italy’s 18-year wait for a win against Argentina continues.

They will continue their quest for a first win since February next week against Fiji - who they are likely to face again on finals weekend - while Argentina move up to third in the Southern Hemisphere standings, at least until Australia play Scotland on Sunday.

This is how things stand after full time in Genoa, you can keep track of them right here on the TNT Sports website.

If things remain the same then Argentina would take on Ireland in finals weekend, while Italy would face Fiji.

1. France, 21 points (+80 points difference)

2. England, 15 (+71)

3. Ireland, 15 (+29)

4. Scotland, 11 (-11)

5. Wales, 10 (-35)

6. Italy, 0 (-158)

1. South Africa, 21 (+138)

2. New Zealand, 20 (+73)

3. Argentina, 11 (-27)

4. Australia, 8 (+6)

5. Japan, 5 (-33)

6. Fiji, 0 (-133)

Our two matches today and yesterday have already been closer than any last weekend, though that trend may not continue with Wales versus New Zealand coming up next!

But whatever happens in Cardiff, follow it with TNT Sports' live text coverage that's already up and running ahead of kick off in half an hour!

FT - France 21-19 South Africa

FT - Italy 14-19 Argentina

14:10 - Wales v New Zealand

16:40 - England v Japan

20:10 - Ireland v Fiji

15:10 - Scotland v Australia

Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Premiership Women's Rugby and the PREM Rugby Cup - including tomorrow’s clash between Leicester Tigers and Saracens - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Oh no! It's a disaster for Italy, Garbisi got too greedy with his kick to touch and it goes past the try-line, meaning instead of a grandstand finish, the game ends on a damp squib as Argentina hold on!

From somewhere, they find go-forward and win a penalty inside Argentina's half! Can they set up one last maul chance?

Italy now have a pair of brothers at half-back as Alessandro Garbisi enters the fray, but the game is slipping away from the hosts. That losing run against Argentina looks set to reach 19 years.

That could be game over! Capuozzo tried to make something happen but the rest of his side weren't on the same page and eventually the ball goes to floor, allowing Elias back on the pitch.

If Italy couldn't score against 13 men for five minutes, they're unlikely to succeed against 15 now.

They're finally making headway ball in hand, then Allan threads a tricky kick in that Delguy had to handle very smartly.

Eventually Albornoz clears to the 22, and Allan missed a trick by not taking the quick lineout, meaning Sclavi can return to the field.

And Federico Mori is on for Odogwu, with Italy facing another defensive set as Argentina hope to soak up some of the time they're playing 13 v 15.

That's a huge call. The TMO seemed like he wanted yellow but the referee was steadfast in only giving a penalty.

Argentina could be down to 12 in a minute! Cannone dipped into contact with Isgro meaning the winger's should struck the ball-carriers face and the TMO is investigating.

And in a few minutes, Italy will be 15 versus 13 and Efrain Elias was carded for his role in stopping the maul ahead of the penalty try.

Everyone joined the maul in royal blue and though Argentina repelled the initial shove, they could've hold out when Italy found their second wind!

But Italy finally find some momentum! They form a maul five metres out and Joel Sclavi - another replacement - illegally stops it, with the referee immediately reaching to his pocket.

Carreras finally has his try!

And ultimately it was very simple as they formed the maul, and when they went outside then Capuozzo shot out looking to make a hit on Albornoz who popped the ball inside for Carreras to burst through the massive gap and score.

He'd only been on the field for a matter of moments, but he's back off for 10 minutes on the sideline as Italy pay the price for cumulative penalties.

Simone Ferrari's 75th cap is done and dusted with Marco Riccioni on at loosehead, while the hulking Bath lock Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi replaces Niccolo Cannone.

Argentina have a big impact sub on in Facundo Isa, while Efrain Elias replaces Guido Petti.

Argentina finally have their try!

And ultimately it was quite simple, they just ran the phases to shorten the Italian defensive line and then span the ball wide with Matera linking the play and Isgro shrugging off Ioane's desperate tackle to score.

However, Albornoz's conversion struck the post and bounced wide.

And Argentina now have an all-new front row as they prepare for an attacking five-metre scrum.

Facundo Bosch replaces Barnasconi - remember Julian Montoya is out with a concussion today.