Having had their 19-game winning streak in Dublin halted by the All Blacks a week before, Ireland would have sought a quick start to ease any pressure built through seven days of scrutiny.
While they got just that through a pair of tries in the opening five minutes, the visitors will be left wondering what might have been had Matias Moroni not been sent to the sin bin in the second minute, the first of two cards for each side.
The Argentina centre had crossed the line just moments before being shown the yellow, his high tackle on Jack Crowley bringing the double blow of a disallowed score and 10 minutes on the sidelines.
Ireland were quick to take advantage, crossing the line twice as the centre watched on.
The first came directly from the subsequent penalty, Crowley darting across after Ronan Kelleher had been stopped short, with the second arriving only moments later from an attack launched directly from the subsequent restart.
With centres Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose both carrying well, the ball was spread to Tadhg Beirne whose popped pass inside to Mack Hansen saw Ireland open up a two-score lead.
Argentina got on the board when Albornoz punished a Henshaw offside but as Moroni returned his side trailed 12-3. The centre quickly played his part in dislodging the ball from Beirne’s hand as he tried to ground for the score.
To conclude a frantic opening 17 minutes, it was Ireland then reduced to 14 when Finlay Bealham was sent to the bin for a croc roll on his fellow prop Joel Scalvi but the visitors could not take advantage as Ireland had previously.
Albornoz kicked another pair of penalties during the Connacht man’s absence but, with a Crowley drop-goal in between, Ireland were still 15-9 ahead when restored to 15.
McCarthy’s try, again started from the line-out, edged Farrell’s side further ahead but their discipline remained an issue.
Having been whistled too frequently against the All Blacks, they conceded six penalties in the first half, including three in quick succession in the final minute of the half, but Argentina could not make them pay.