Argentina made history by claiming their first win over New Zealand with a sensational 25-15 victory in Sydney.
The Pumas had not beaten the All Blacks in 29 previous Tests – losing 28 games and drawing once – but that dramatically changed in their first international since last year's Rugby World Cup in October as Nicolas Sanchez produced a masterclass and scored every point for his team.
Argentina held a 16-3 half-time lead and never looked back in the Tri Nations showdown, despite a New Zealand rally at Bankwest Stadium, where the All Blacks were condemned to back-to-back Test defeats for the first time since August 2011.
The All Blacks were desperate for a response following last week's 24-22 loss to trans-Tasman rivals Australia in the final Bledisloe Cup encounter, having already wrapped up the title.
But Ian Foster did not get the reaction he wanted as Argentina stunned a near full-strength New Zealand on Australian soil.
Argentina and New Zealand traded penalty goals before the Pumas took control – star Sanchez collecting the rebound after his chipped pass bounced horribly for Beauden Barrett and crossing in the 19th minute.
Pumas fly-half Sanchez had two tries and as many assists in his previous five Tests against New Zealand heading into the match, scoring 50 points.
With the All Blacks rattled, Sanchez drilled two more penalty goals before half-time as Argentina moved clear.
Argentina extended their lead thanks to Sanchez's fourth three-pointer of the game, though New Zealand threatened a comeback when Sam Came crashed over to reduce the deficit to 19-10 in the 53rd minute.
New Zealand huffed and puffed, and while Caleb Clarke muscled his way over at the death, Sanchez's fifth and sixth penalty goals had already put a historic result beyond doubt.
Head coach Ian Foster said New Zealand could have no complaints after they slumped to a first defeat against fired-up Argentina.
Ian Foster said New Zealand are "hurting greatly" and Sam Cane admitted they "weren't good enough" in a shock historic defeat to Argentina.
New Zealand had lost two out of three Tri Nations matches and head coach Foster said they could have no complaints after losing back-to-back Tests for the first time since August 2011.
"It was the second week in a row we haven't had good composure when things didn't go our way," Foster said.
"We're hurting greatly but they should be very proud of their team. It was a historic win for them."
Cane doffed his cap to Argentina, but felt New Zealand left themselves down.
"The lesson is in Test match rugby you've got to turn up with the right intent, the right attitude every single weekend, or you get it handed to you," said the All Blacks captain.
"They were good, and we weren't good enough. Their defence was outstanding."
Matera proud of 'hungry' Argentina after All Blacks upset
Los Pumas captain Pablo Matera said it was mission accomplished after "hungry" Argentina were able to fill "chests with pride" by securing a historic victory over New Zealand.
Captain Matera savoured a special day for his country.
The flanker said: "I don't know how to put it into words. They were eight very hard months [without being able to play].
"A lot of work, a lot of people who are not here, but we have a very hungry team and we came to fill all the people in Argentina's chests with pride."
The skipper added: "We play for the boys, for Argentine rugby.
"There are a lot of boys who haven't played rugby with their friends for eight months and we went out onto the pitch to show that we can and hopefully bring more people to rugby."
Argentina do battle with Australia at McDonald Jones Stadium in their next Tri Nations encounter on November 21.
I thought my Pumas career was over - Sanchez savours historic defeat of All Blacks
Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez scored all 25 of Argentina's points in their victory over New Zealand, having thought his Pumas career was finished.
The number 10, who is the second-highest points-scorer against the All Blacks behind Matt Burke, said: "It was a very hard year. After the World Cup we all had something very strong inside, but the pandemic helped us transform.
"These last four weeks of preparation were spectacular and today it was spectacular. We knew that with our defence they could not advance. We proposed this, we came to win and we are happy.
"Adversity always makes teams stronger. Now in our heads we only have the idea of continuing to grow. When the World Cup ended I thought my career at the Pumas was over, I didn't think I was going to be able to wear the jersey again. and much less being here."
Emotional Pumas head coach Mario Ledesma was full of praise for his side after they carried out the game plan to perfection.
"These guys are in love with what they do and it was reflected on the pitch," said Ledesma.
"When we sat in the stands, before the game started, it didn't seem real to me to be experiencing something like this. After everything that happened, waiting for a game again was crazy.
"But with the pandemic there are things that are difficult to do. There was a lot of intangibles that came together and that was reflected here. We never beat them and we came to win here.
"We talked about being very disciplined, where we wanted to play, at what pace, and that happened. The players took what we had talked about to the letter. And there are many things that are happening between them, with the appearance of new leaders, new ways of doing things.
"Many people prepared this. And it's nice to see the fruits, because I would have said the same thing if we had lost, but this validates a bit what has been done since the beginning of the year.
"There is a cohesion that is being generated that is very beautiful. We all wanted that to be seen on the field and it happened. In Argentine rugby an immense work is done. I want to thank all those who support us, in some way we play for them also."
