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Gregor Townsend's side have incorporated additional layers and elements to their games in recent times, but the persistent issue is their soft underbelly.

This weakness was revealed by an Pumas side who appeared to be dead and buried long before their stunning turnaround.

Scottish rugby headquarters was stunned at the end, unable to process how this Scotland team were able to take a substantial early lead against a Argentina side appearing off-form and go on to create the most spectacular of breakdowns to fall short by eight points.

The defeat by the All Blacks one week prior was painful. This felt more devastating. Significantly more troubling.

Game Breakdown

Argentina looked a pale imitation of the side that walloped Wales in historic fashion in Cardiff, and Townsend's team were in full dominance for the initial stages.

They built three well-worked touchdowns, two from Ashman and one from Dempsey.

Holding a substantial advantage, they were camped on the Pumas line, attempting to go for the jugular. But, as has been the case far too many times, rather than executing the finishing move, Scotland offered assistance to help their competitors off the floor.

Critical Moment

Finn Russell's ill-advised long arching pass was snatched, the visitors broke downfield, the full-back was sent to the bin for illegally preventing the attack, and the Argentina captain went over to breathe new life into what had seemed a moribund contest.

The great teams, the best teams in the world, manage these circumstances. They take the sting out the game. Townsend's side are not built like that. They lack the rugby IQ, the game understanding, the mentality to apply pressure the energy out of a match that should be securely in their control.

Previous Patterns

It echoed of Cardiff and the recent championship, when Scotland raced into a 27-0 lead and looked for all the world like they were on course for a decisive win until the slightest hint of resistance caused alarm throughout the complete side.

In that instance, they were able to pull themselves back from the point of collapse to win by a narrow margin, but the Argentina were in no mood to permit recovery here.

Following Damien McKenzie climbed off the bench to break Scottish hearts against the All Blacks last week, another substitute joined the action in the later stages to dominate proceedings.

Carreras was like a individual driven, emerging in every offensive move, identifying spaces in a fatiguing Scottish defence and energizing his team to increase intensity.

Breakdown Examination

The hooker's try was the opening of four in an astonishing 18-minute spell in which the Scottish team completely fell apart. The fly-half's penalty temporarily halted the tide to make it within twelve points, but the momentum was at Argentina's backs and Scotland looked helpless to reclaim the initiative.

Same Issues Repeatedly for Scotland

When Justo Piccardo went over to finish on a remarkable turnaround for the Argentina, the home supporters moved toward the exits. They had seen enough on this particular day, and several have reached their limit of this team finding it difficult to advance under Townsend.

Scotland's manager cut a downcast figure at the final whistle. He admitted it simply wasn't satisfactory, that his team couldn't manage the momentum swing at a commanding lead, and they simply have to be improved.

The problem is it is the same problems that are cropping up consistently. There is no consolation to be derived from playing well for chunks of games, from generating various opportunities and not taking advantage, from running big teams tightly but not winning.

Townsend disputes the idea that his team lacks the mentality required to win the most important matches, but the evidence is not in his defense.

Two crucial World Cup group matches against Ireland, in previous World Cups, remain fresh in the recollection. When the stakes was at its height, when the key performers and squads are required to really step up, Scotland collapsed.

They have delivered significant, occasional victories in the tournament, but in the extended period on Townsend's watch, when the opportunity in the season has arrived to progress and genuinely compete, they have failed.

Townsend had his tenure prolonged to guide the team through the upcoming World Cup in the southern hemisphere, with the decision-makers at Scottish Rugby confident that this squad is on the brink of something good.

Scotland has remained on the edge for quite some time, and those followers who vocally criticized their team from the home ground will feel justified to wonder: can the progression ever be taken? And might another coach do more effectively?