The Lions were sloppy with ball in hand, something that is expected for a team playing together for the first time. However, conversely they were playing against an understrength Argentina outfit who were playing the match outside the Test window and therefore shorn of some of their premier players who ply their trade in the Top 14.
While the performance will be as much of a disappointment as the result for head coach Andy Farrell, there will be no panic in the Lions camp as they will have plenty more time to get their act together before the upcoming Test series against the Wallabies.
For Argentina, it was a win that came on the back of enterprise and ambition with ball in hand, and one that will be celebrated by their fans for years to come.
Pumas make Lions pay in first half
Argentina were first on the board when a sweeping move up the left resulted in a penalty which Tomás Albornoz duly slotted.
The Lions twice thought they were over for tries to Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sione Tuipulotu but both were later ruled out for knock-ons. Either side of that they drew level through a Fin Smith penalty.
However, Ignacio Mendy then danced past an attempted cover tackle from Duhan van der Merwe to dot down in the corner for a 8-3 lead.
The Lions hit back through a solo effort from Bundee Aki from close range to give the Lions a 10-8 lead.
However, things somewhat unravelled for Andy Farrell's side from there, first through a pair of penalties as Argentina applied pressure, and then when time was up at the end of the first half.
Argentina turned over possession in their own 22 when the ball was left unattended at the back of a Lions ruck, and the Pumas did what they do best - running the length of the field with some neat passing on the near side to score a try through Albornoz that made it 21-10 to the visitors at the break.
The Lions duly hit back in the second half, first through a driving maul that drew a penalty try as well as ten minutes in the bin for Mayco Vivas, and then another try from the resulting period with an extra man, this time Tadhg Beirne going over after a galloping run up field by England prop Ellis Genge.
But if the Lions thought the momentum was with them, those thoughts were quickly dispelled when Albornoz stepped Tom Curry deep in his own half, and broke all the way before passing to Matias Moroni who kicked ahead for Santiago Cordero to go over in the corner. Once again, the Lions were under the poles in a flash as the conversion made it 28-24 to the visitors.
The Lions did try hit back throughout the remaining 15 minutes, but were unable to break down the resolute defence of the makeshift Pumas as they held on for an historic win.
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