Argentina continued their 10-year unbeaten run in Italy with a 22-14 victory at Turin's Olympic stadium .

After last week's brave and heroic effort against Australia, Italy were flat in this game as they succumbed meekly to opposition they have beaten only four times in 15 attempts.

Italy had no one of the calibre of the Pumas' fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez whose expert kicking kept the ball away from the visitors' danger areas and frequently turned defence into attack.

The first half was a drab affair littered with mistakes.

Argentina's Felipe Contepomi finally broke a deadlock on 25 minutes, landing a penalty from a few yards inside the Italian half.

But Andrea Marcato levelled up five minutes later after Argentina were penalised for the third time for collapsing a scrum.

However, in the final two minutes of the half Italy gave away two penalties inside their 22 from infringements in the ruck and Contepomi slotted both over to give the Pumas a 9-3 lead at the break.

Right after the restart Italy infringed again inside their own 22 and Contepomi scored his fourth penalty of the afternoon but the hosts hit back with a successful drop goal from Marcato.

That seemed to breathe some life into the match and six minutes into the second period Argentina prop Rodrigo Roncero was penalised for blocking off the ball and sent to the sin bin.

But despite their numerical disadvantage, Argentina scored the first try of the game on 50 minutes as Hernandez chipped over a flat backline, collected the ball off the bounce and off-loaded to Rafael Carballo, who broke a weak tackle from Marcato and dived under the posts, with Contepomi converting for a 19-6 lead.

That took the sting out of Italy and from that point on the result was in no doubt.

Marcato and Contepomi exchanged penalties before Andrea Masi dived over in the corner to score a consolation try for the hosts.

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