Argentina were in control for the majority of the match and were able to withstand an all too brief Scotland fightback take a 26-18 victory in Jujay on Saturday.
Nicolas Sanchez and Blair Kinghorn had traded penalties before tries from Jeronimo de la Fuente and Santiago Carreras put Argentina in control.
Two tries within four minutes from Mark Bennett and Rory Hutchinson shortly after the break drew Scotland level.
But Gonzalo Bertranou replied almost immediately and Emiliano Boffelli's penalty secured a deserved victory.
After the match Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said: "I'm disappointed. We didn't get going until the second half and then we got into a position from which we should have kicked on - and didn't.
"We're all here to learn. It's the first game for us in a while. You have to make the most of the opportunities you get. We need to show more intensity, and counter what Argentina do better next week."