Women's World Cup qualifying: Wales 1-2 France

France defeated Wales in Llanelli to win a World Cup qualification match.

Wales had some chances before the break, but fell behind when Renard rose to head in a corner.

A nightmare moment for goalkeeper Laura O' Sullivan led to France's second after the break as her clearance was charged down by Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who could not miss.

France held firm despite the efforts of CaptainSophie Ingle.

The defeat leaves Wales third in World Cup qualification, but they still have a chance to get into the play-offs.

Ceri Holland replaced Kayleigh Green in the attack and Rachel Rowe returned to the left-back position after Esther Morgan was ruled out through injury.

Three changes were made to the side which defeated Wales.

Seven players from Paris Saint-Germain or Lyon were in Corrine Diacre's side and they made an impressive start in Llanelli with Wales doing well to contain them.

On 16 minutes, Kadidiatou Diani hit a shot at goal which struck the post, and then hit the rebound just wide as she stuck across goal, a clear warning for the hosts.

At the other end, Wales looked threatening when they got forward, with two crosses from Carrie Jones causing chaos, but Jess Fishlock could not make a clean contact with the ball as they missed a good opportunity to lead.

The hosts began to win more of the ball in key battles, but they were undone by a set-piece as Jones tested Peyraud-Magnin with a shot from a difficult angle.

• Wales 1-2 France: As it happened & reaction
• As it stands in Group I

The visitors have scored 37 goals in their previous six matches and their immense goal threat was underscored when they took the lead just past the half hour as captain Renard rose to head home.

There was no room for error for Wales in the second half as they needed to chase the game.

The hosts gave France a second goal when O' Sullivan took too many touches and saw her attempted clearance charged down by Katoto, who rolled home her 10th goal in seven qualifying matches.

When Fishlock was sent off for a foul outside the box, Wales thought they had a chance to get back into the game.

With their spirit undiminished, Wales forced their way back into things with a goal on 71 minutes as France failed to clear Rowe's clever corner.

Wales thought they had tied the game when Evans headed home two minutes later, but she was wrongly judged to be in an ineligible position.

Wales pushed and pushed and left gaps with Evans doing brilliantly to clear a late effort off the line, but they could not find the crucial goal, with Helen Ward earning a late appearance and with it her 100th cap for her country.

The manager of Wales told the radio station.

We feel like we did in the first game, but it is a little bit worse.

It shows our resilience when we go 2-0 down to a team of their quality.

We feel a few chances went against us today. I am proud that we competed with one of the best teams in the world.

They were time-wasting at the end and that is a sign of the team we are. It felt like a tournament.

The players are incredibly resilient and have shown that again.

The games against France will not define where we finish in the group.

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Formation 4-2-3-1.

• 1O'Sullivan
• 5Roberts
• 14Ladd
• 3Evans
• 13Rowe
• 8James
• 4Ingle
• 11HardingSubstituted forMorganat 90+1'minutes
• 10Fishlock
• 18HollandBooked at 43minsSubstituted forWardat 90+2'minutes
• 20Jones

Substitutes

• 2Woodham
• 6Green
• 7Ward
• 9Williams
• 12Clark
• 15Hughes
• 16Estcourt
• 17Walters
• 19Wynne
• 21Soper
• 22Filbey
• 23Morgan

Formation 4-3-3.

• 21Peyraud-Magnin
• 2PérissetSubstituted forPalisat 89'minutes
• 19Mbock Bathy
• 3Renard
• 7Karchaoui
• 6TolettiSubstituted forDaliat 77'minutes
• 14Bilbault
• 8GeyoroSubstituted forTorrentat 89'minutes
• 11Diani
• 9KatotoSubstituted forMateoat 77'minutes
• 20CascarinoSubstituted forBaltimoreat 63'minutes

Substitutes

• 1Durand
• 4Torrent
• 5Tounkara
• 10Palis
• 12Sarr
• 13Morroni
• 15Dali
• 16Chavas
• 17Baltimore
• 18Asseyi
• 22Mateo
• 23Cissoko

1. Wales Women defeated France 2 to 1.

2. Wales Women defeated France in the second half.

3. The free kick was won in the defensive half.

4. Foul by Wales Women.

5. Foul by Kenza Dali.

6. Rachel Rowe won a free kick.

7. Foul by Sakina Karchaoui.

8. Carrie Jones won a free kick.

9. The free kick was won in the defensive half.

10. Foul bySophie Ingle.

11. An attempt was missed. Kadidiatou Diani's shot from the centre of the box is wide to the right. Kenza Dali assisted with a cross.

12. Wales Women. Ceri Holland was replaced by Helen Ward.

13. Wales Women. Ffion Morgan is the new person.

14. France, substitution. Eve Périsset has an injury.

15. France, substitution. Grace Geyoro was replaced by Marion Torrent.

16. Wales Women Corner. Griedge Mbock Bathy was in the match.

17. Foul by Kenza Dali.

18. Angharad James won a free kick in the attacking half.

19. The attempt was blocked. The shot from the centre of the box is blocked by the box. Clara Mateo assisted.

20. The attempt was blocked. The shot from outside the box is blocked by the box. Charlotte Bilbault assisted.