Leonardo Balerdi's own goal gave Uruguay the opener before Araujo doubled its lead shortly after, and although Julian Alvarez pulled one back, Argentina could not find an equaliser.
Argentina loses to Uruguay as Messi's absence felt
Maxi Araujo's goal was the difference as Uruguay won 2-1 in an international friendly against Argentina, which suffered its first defeat since Lionel Messi's retirement.
Alvarez saw an early shot saved, with Thiago Almada denied on the follow-up by Guillermo Varela, before Enzo Fernandez and Facundo Medina both saw efforts saved by Cristopher Fiermarin.
Nico Paz also headed an effort narrowly wide of the post as Argentina failed to turn its first-half pressure into a goal, which proved costly early in the second half.
Just three minutes after the break, Balerdi gave away a free-kick and then was in the wrong place when Lisandro Martinez's clearance went across goal and hit the back of the net off the back of Balerdi's head.
Darwin Nunez drew a smothering save out of Geronimo Rulli moments later before Araujo scooped a glancing header over the goalkeeper from the resulting corner in the 53rd minute.
The game opened up after that, with Almada, Nico Paz and Martinez all seeing chances go begging, before Alvarez halved the deficit in the 71st minute with a late dart into the box.
Nunez and Alvarez saw chances apiece saved at either end as Uruguay held out for a third straight win under Diego Forlan.
Younger players such as Gianluca Prestianni, Agustin Giay and Roman Vega featured off the bench for Argentina, and ENzo Fernandez insisted the future is bright for the side in Messi's absence.
"I think we were the better team, and the team responded well despite the goals we conceded," the Manchester City midfielder said.
"We were in control from start to finish, which is why we’re leaving frustrated.
"It's a new process, and we're looking to build a great team. I really liked the second half, and some partnerships worked well. There's a future ahead."
Coach Lionel Scaloni shared the same sentiment as Fernandez, insisting his players need time to gel as a team.
"Uruguay is tough for Argentina, for Brazil, for Spain and for everyone. They're a good team, and that's why it's good to face them," he said.
"We knew it was going to be a tough opponent. Unfortunately, we couldn't find the right moment for the players to enjoy their football, but we have to be patient. They're young guys who are going to deliver for us.
"Their team-mates will surely help them do that at their clubs. But let's stay calm, because we can't put all the responsibility on them alone.
"We'll probably make some changes on Tuesday, but it's also important that some players get to play again so they can find their rhythm in this kind of match."
Argentina will face Costa Rica in its second game of the international break on Wednesday (AEDT).
