RWC 2019 results and highlights: Wales 20-19 France

A moment of madness cost France dearly in Oita after lock Sebastien Vahaamahina was sent off for elbowing Aaron Wainwright nine minutes into the second half with his side leading by nine points.

Wales, paced by 10 points from fly-half Dan Biggar’s perfect boot, face either South Africa or hosts Japan in the semi-finals next weekend after surviving a scare against the swashbuckling French, who led until the 74th minute.

Still haunted by the memory of a stinging 9-8 semi-final loss to France eight years ago, the Six Nations champions looked decidedly uncomfortable until Vahaamahina’s rush of blood undid all the hard work the three-time finalists had put in.

Defeat also brought the curtain down on France coach Jacques Brunel’s two-year spell in charge before he is replaced by former captain Fabien Galthie.

“I think the better team lost today, but that red card was obviously significant,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland, who is also due set to step down after the World Cup.

“But credit to the players — I’m really proud of the fact they never give up and kept fighting and found a way to win. Other teams would have probably capitulated.”

Vahaamahina had stunned the Welsh by bundling over from a lineout after just five minutes before France scored one of the tries of the tournament.

Roared on by chants of “Allez, Les Bleus!” flanker Charles Ollivon stormed through to complete a sweeping move involving Virimi Vakatawa, Romain Ntamack and scrum-half Antoine Dupont.

Back came Wales in an electrifying opening 12 minutes as flanker Wainwright pounced on a loose ruck on halfway to race clear for his first Test try.

Additional reporting by AFP and World Rugby.