A second-half goal for Taylor - in for Ellen White in one of four changes from the match against Scotland - confirmed that Phil Neville's side will be in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Nikita Parris had earlier had a penalty in the first half saved by Vanina Correa, it was at a good height for the Argentine but stuck out a strong left arm to divert the Lyon forward's spot-kick, after Alex Greenwood had been fouled.
In a good individual performance, Correa also denied Beth Mead, Parris and Taylor, but had no chance in stopping Euro 2017's golden boot winner, tapping in Mead's low cross from close range.
World number three England need only a point against 2011 world champions Japan - having won their first two matches at a World Cup for the first time - to seal top spot in Group D on Wednesday.
But it was no easy task to break down Argentina, who were coming off their first ever point at a World Cup against Japan last Monday.
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| Photo from The Telegraph |
Mead and Greenwood combined for many attacks down the left - in contrast to the Scotland match in which Parris and Bronze combined down but often found themselves guilty of making the wrong decision for the final ball.
Arsenal winger Mead played in Greenwood before being tripped by Ruth Bravo for the penalty.
Parris went the opposite side to her spot-kick against England, but it lacked power allowing Correa to tip it onto the post.
Channeling David De Gea, Correa denied Mead with her legs, and Parris from a powerful drive after a free kick.
Correa looked invincible to whatever England threw at her, before 33-year-old Taylor's goal on 61 minutes - her first since scoring in a World Cup qualifier last April.
A lack of national funding meant that Argentina didn't have a team between 2015 and 2017, and they are appearing in their first World Cup for 12 years.
Carlos Borrello's side were well-drilled and organised, getting players behind the ball and definding with "rebel spirit" that their manager had spoken of prior to the game.
It was 21 minutes before they had an effort on goal, an overhit free kick that Carly Telford easily gathered, Telford was making her World Cup debut at the age of 31.
They also only had 25% possession, yet forward Sole Jaimes and number 10 Estefania Banini caused occasional problems for the England defence, and the team's robust style certainly ruffled some of the England players.
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