Wales staged a stunning fightback victory to win a gripping World Cup quarter-final in Oita after France pressed the self-destruct button.
The Six Nations champions’ 20-19 victory was secured by Ross Moriarty’s 74th-minute try that Dan Biggar converted.
There was an agonising wait while the officials checked for a possible Wales knock-on in build-up play, but the try was awarded.
Wales appeared back in the contest, and they began to shade the territorial battle, but the Six Nations champions then suffered an injury blow when flanker Josh Navidi went off and was replaced by Moriarty.
But Moriarty had not been on the pitch for two minutes when referee Jaco Peyper yellow-carded him for a high tackle on France centre Gael Fickou.
Moriarty’s exit left Wales at sixes and sevens, and France punished them in ruthless fashion when Vakatawa crossed for their third try.
Ntamack converted to make it 19-10, and 14-man Wales were left hanging on, and they had a mountain to climb as Moriarty returned.
Ntamack went off at half-time and was replaced by Camille Lopez, but Vahaamahina was then sent off following a crass act of stupidity that left Peyper with no choice but to brandish a red card.
A Biggar penalty cut the gap to six points, and then came pulsating late drama as Wales triumphed.
