From there, they worked infield and Ben Youngs was able to scamper over when, for the first time in the game, the Pumas missed a tackle.
The frustration for them was that while they had England on the ropes, they couldn't convert their dominance into points. Martin Rodriguez sprayed them from all over and as the game wore on, Argentina's 9-3 lead never looked enough.
Once Youngs had put England in front - that was always going to be it. Argentina, for all their endeavour and graft, were never going to score a try.
They were dead on their feet and maybe the only difference between these two was in conditioning. The tournament would have loved to embrace the shock result but everyone should be happy enough they got a magnificent contest.
This was the perfect antidote to the running, pass and catch rugby that was on tap earlier in the day.
The brutality was thrilling; two massive packs lined each other up and had a go. It was relentless and if anyone wonders why it is that the modern rugby player is a tad stiff and sore after a big test these days, they needn't go past this game to find the answer.
The magic of rugby is surely that this game was absorbing, almost impossible to not get caught up in and yet it was hardly free-flowing. It was smash and bash - smash and bash all the way. Thrilling to the end and those who think rugby is only rugby when tries are involved need to think again.
England didn't have the ball for much of the first half but they did what they could to get it back with some colossal defence. Some of the collisions were frightening and Argentina lost two men before halftime and probably should have lost Mario Ledesma, too, were it not for the fact he is apparently indestructible.
The veteran hooker's profusely bleeding noggin told the story of the game. It was warfare - with Argentina inspired by the strategic thinking of Field Marshall Douglas Haig. Not since World War I has a group of men advanced so slowly acquiring such great casualties along the way. The Pumas played for inches - fighting for every one and protecting them with their lives.
Argentina know the art of having a game plan and sticking to it. Their greatest quality was their patience. Never did they feel the need to push the pass or take unnecessary risks. And that's how they built the pressure on England - they gave nothing away; when they had the ball, they treasured it, and if they kicked, it was always with a chance of getting it back or making ground.
Some of their work at the tackled ball was outstanding. They were expert at isolating the English ball carrier, with the second man attacking the ball.
Their captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe was immense. Brave, inspiring committed and everywhere and yet also calm and collected. When it felt like things were starting to bubble, possibly even boil over, in would stride Lobbe to remind his troops there was no need to stray from what they were doing. And it was hard for Argentina to keep their discipline.
England were obviously rattled by their inability to win and retain possession. That led to some dubious stuff - a few late tackles and a nasty looking knee-first challenge by Courtney Lawes when Ledesma was trying to smash into the corner for a try.
The most bizarre incident was when Ledesma and his opposite Steve Thompson flared up, with the Englishman managing to plant a kiss on the Puma veteran's bald head.
The niggle didn't detract. If anything, it added an edge; served as a reminder that the stakes are high. It also reminded that these two nations are not best pals. There is history between them that extends beyond the rugby field.
As pure theatre, it was unbeatable played in a venue that more than did its bit to add to the occasion.
England 13 (B. Youngs try; J. Wilkinson con, 2 pens).
Argentina 9 (F. Contepomi pen; M. Rodriguez 2 pens).
