Argentina produced a tactical rugby masterclass to beat France 18-13 at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.

The Pumas kicked four drop goals and dominated the majority of a turgid contest to end their November tour on a high.

France came within inches of snatching a potentially match-winning try deep into added time, but South African-born fullback Scott Spedding was held up over the line.

Had they scored, and converted it to snatch an unlikely victory, it would have been hard on an enterprising Argentina that dominated in almost every aspect of the game and aligned an almost impenetrable light-blue and white wall in front of France’s runners.

It was their first win in France since the 2007 World Cup, and richly deserved.

The hosts may have come into the clash brimming with confidence following wins over Fiji (40-15) and Australia (29-26) but they were given a tactical lesson in the first half.

Argentina five-eighth Nicolas Sanchez and inside centre Juan Martin Hernandez dominated with precise kicking, while the tourists rumbled well with their forwards and broke quickly in the backs.