Pumas scored seven tries in biggest winning margin and points tally against the Welsh.
Wales scored four tries with scrum-half Tomos Williams and hooker Dewi Lake going over in the first half and flanker Jac Morgan and full-back Blair Murray after the break.
The jury is still out on whether it should have been a straight red because of the intent, just a yellow because there was no contact or actually whether he should have been penalised at all given he was being held.
Vital rankings at stakepublished at 16:13 GMT 9 November 2025
16:13 GMT 9 November 2025
HT: Wales 14-31 Argentina
Image source, Getty Images
There
is much more riding on this game than Wales trying to break a home losing
streak and Argentina seeking another Six Nations scalp.
There are a mere 24
days until the draw for the 2027 World Cup is made in Sydney and both these
sides are standing on a cliff edge in terms of where they will be seeded on 3 December.
Teams will be drawn in six groups of four teams with the world's top six teams all kept apart.
Argentina - sixth - are on the edge of being among the top tier and thus avoiding the world's best teams in their pool but have Australia right on their heels with less than a point separating them.
Wales are 12th and would be in the second pot of teams if the draw was made today but their World Cup pool fate is almost certainly going to be shaped over the next two games with next week's opponents Japan breathing down their necks.
A win today or next week should secure them a
seeding in the second band but defeat by Japan will surely mean a ferocious
pool for them in 2027. For example, they could be drawn in the same pool as world champions South Africa and hosts Australia.
A win or draw today will be enough for Wales to
move above Georgia into 11th.
Really good signs from Walespublished at 16:13 GMT 9 November 2025
16:13 GMT 9 November 2025
HT: Wales 14-31 Argentina
Ian Gough Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales
Wales looked a bit edgy on the wings, especially Tom Rogers' side and Blair Murray is having a tough afternoon in the air.
But Wales settled things right down. The last score was a complete opportunist try after being disrupted with a yellow card, it was a bit of world class play.
But from a Wales point of view they fell asleep on that defensive set. It's so important, they've just scored a try and then they open up and give them another.
But some really really good signs for Wales in that first half.
They've got to come back out and give another good account of themselves. The first t10 minutes are crucial.
Persistence pays off for Cracknellpublished at 16:10 GMT 9 November 2025
16:10 GMT 9 November 2025
HT: Wales 14-31 Argentina
Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
International life is set to begin at 31 for Olly Cracknell after the back row was rewarded for his perseverance – and physicality – with a place on Wales' bench today.
Cracknell initially missed out on Steve Tandy's squad for the four November Tests but then Taulupe Faletau suffered a knee injury.
It will be a rise to international level for a hard-working, no-nonsense forward who arrives at Principality Stadium via Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) in Colwyn Bay, Ospreys, London Irish and then, after the Exiles' financial collapse, Tigers.
The back-rower's reward for plugging away will come on Sunday when he becomes the 1,216th player to represent his country.
Cracknell edged out 20-year-old Morgan Morse to face the Pumas and will be keen to make an impression in the countdown to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
"When we named the team on Monday and Olly was announced you see the emotion," said Tandy, who coached Cracknell at Ospreys.
"I felt emotional seeing someone who's gone on such a journey to get that opportunity later on in his career. I think it's an amazing story."