Argentina produced one of the weekend's most resilient rugby performances, holding Australia to a 28-28 draw in Mendoza despite playing the final 10 minutes with only 13 players.
Pumas captain Pablo Matera scored twice, including the try that put Argentina ahead for the first time in the 64th minute. Australia still took the two-Test series after winning the opener 27-21 in San Salvador de Jujuy.
How the match changed
The Wallabies led 14-0 after first-half tries from captain Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen. Argentina responded before the break through Matera and Ignacio Mendy, with Santiago Carreras converting both to level the score.
Fraser McReight put Australia back in front early in the second half, but Argentina hooker Ignacio Ruiz answered. Matera's second try then gave the hosts the lead.
Two yellow cards, one penalty try
The decisive sequence came after 70 minutes. Lucio Cinti was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. From the resulting play, Santiago Carreras received another yellow for the same offence and Australia were awarded a penalty try.
That made it 28-28 and left Argentina two players short. Australia had time and a numerical advantage but could not find a winning score.
What the draw means
Australia leave Argentina with the series trophy and an unbeaten four-match start under coach Les Kiss. The draw, however, highlighted a lack of precision when the Wallabies had a chance to close the contest.
For the Pumas, the result was built on recovery and defensive discipline. They erased an early deficit, survived several cards and protected the draw in the closing minutes.
Players who shaped the game
Matera's two tries gave Argentina leadership and momentum. Mendy's sharp lineout move and Ruiz's close-range score kept the hosts in contact, while Wilson, Jorgensen and McReight supplied Australia's attacking points before the late penalty try.
The scoreline was not enough to change the series winner, but it gave Argentina a memorable finish in front of the Mendoza crowd.
