"When you have a player like Cristiana Girelli on the bench and you see that you can't actually score ... my choice was very simple," Italy coach Milena Bertolini said.
After a slow start to the second half, Italy settled into their rhythm and looked more likely to score.
Manuela Giuliano's free kick drifted over the crossbar before Giadda Greggi drew a smart stop from Correa in the 82nd minute.
Argentina caused plenty of problems for Durante but could not manage a shot on target until Bonsegundo's free kick in the 94th minute.
They next face South Africa on Friday in Dunedin, with both teams still searching for a first World Cup victory.
Persons:
Cristiana Girelli, Barbara Bonansea, David Rowland AUCKLAND, Cristiana, Girelli, Giulia Dragoni, Vanina Correa, Milena Bertolini, Italy's Ariana Caruso, Valentina Giacinti, Mariana Larroquette's, Manuela Giuliano's, Greggi, Francesca Durante, Florencia Bonsegundo's, Bertolini, Giulia, Durante, German Portanova, Hritika Sharma, Toby Chopra, Christian
Organizations:
Soccer Football, FIFA, Italy, Argentina, Eden, South Americans, G, South, Girelli, Thomson
Locations:
New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, Eden, Auckland , New Zealand, Sweden, Wellington, South Africa, Correa, Argentine, Dragoni, Africa, Dunedin, German, Hyderabad