Eden Park is packed to the rafters and it seems that for every dragon present ...Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images... there's a corresponding Cockerel Photograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesLooking at Warren Gatland as he watches over his team's pre-match warm up, you get an idea of enormity of the gamePhotograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images... but he's soon put it to the back of his mind and is enjoying the occasionPhotograph: Jason O'Brien/Action ImagesHe has even more reason to smile after just eight minutes when James Hook slots a great penalty kick between the sticks to give the Welsh a 3-0 leadPhotograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesThat smile most definitely turns into a frown in the 18th minute, when Sam Warburton up ends Vincent Clerc ...Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesThe French players don't think that the Welsh captain took enough care when dumping him on the ground and a bit of handbags eruptsPhotograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesThe referee then produces a red card and Warburton is off! That's one helluva controversial decision and is going to be the talking point at half-time and beyond. The Wales team and fans must be thinking it never rains but it pours as three minutes later a penalty from Parra puts the scores level Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesMike Phillips is tackled to the ground Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesJust before the half hour mark James Hook has a chance to take the lead back but he slices the kick wide rightPhotograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesHowever, five minutes later Morgan Parra makes no mistake with his penalty kick and at half-time France lead 6-3Photograph: Nigel Marple/ReutersAlexis Palisson stops Shane Williams Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesNow they are down to 14 men, the Welsh are having to work twice as hard to contain FrancePhotograph: Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesThat doesn't stop Wales charging forward to attempt to get back in the game Photograph: Hannah Johnston/Getty ImagesBeing a man to the good also gives the French an advantage at line-outsPhotograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesThe also capitalise when the Welsh make a mistake such as when Alun Wyn Jones drops the ball Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty ImagesThe huge crowd are enjoying a pulsating matchPhotograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesToby Faletau is having an immense game, here he stops Imanol HarinordoquyPhotograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images10 minutes into the second half France edge 6 points ahead, courtesy of the boot of Morgan Parra when he sails a penalty home from the 22 yard linePhotograph: Paul Harding/Action ImagesVincent Clerc and Maxime Medard smother George North to snuff out another Welsh attackPhotograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesWales' hooker Huw Bennett passes the ball out as Wales continue to put the pressure on FrancePhotograph: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty ImagesMike Phillips gestures at wing Alexis Palisson as he goes over to score a try and gets Wales back in the game. Unfortunately Jones' kick from the touchline just brushes the wrong side of the left-hand post and it's 9-8 to FrancePhotograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesMaxime Medard is tackled by Alexis Palisson Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty ImagesPascal Pape emerges with the ball and runs at Paul JamesPhotograph: Natacha Pisarenko/APFive minutes to go and France give away a penalty in a ruck. The offence took place on the halfway line, Wales have to go for the kick. Leigh Halfpenny, who has been fabulous all game, elects to have a go as it's out of Stephen Jones' range. Nicolas Mas and Fabien Barcella attempt to stare him out and put him off...Photograph: Hannah Johnston/Getty ImagesHe steps up and launches a mighty kick towards the posts...Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesIt's straight and true...Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Imagesbut it's just inches too short and the ball dips under the bar rather than over it. AgonizingPhotograph: David Gray/ReutersThe Welsh attack push forward in an attempt to snatch victoryPhotograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesDespite producing waves upon wave of attack, Wales can't breach the finely organised French defence, or tempt them into giving away a penalty. Finally the French snatch possession and hoof the ball into the stands. Game over, France, a team who lost 2 of their pool matches, are in the World Cup Final Photograph: Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesThere's joy for the France players and fansPhotograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images...and disappointment for the Wales players...Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images...and fansPhotograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPAThe disappointment of defeat is etched on the face of Alun Wyn Jones as the French players applaud off the Welsh, and rightly so as they put in a gutsy performance playing some good rugby along the way. Though the aftermatch discussions will undoubtedly focus on the sending off and not a good welsh performance under trying circumstances Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
