Sophie Ingle’s effort is not enough as Wales beat France in the World Cup qualifiers
Wales lost 2-1 in the Women’s World Cup qualifiers as France maintained a 100 per cent record in Llanelli.
Wendie Renard and Marie-Antoinette Katoto hit France, who finished third in the world – 28 places above Wales – with seven wins in as many matches.
Sophie Ingle halved the deficit with a rebound 19 minutes ahead of time, and Wales failed to equalize when Gemma Evans was sent off with a header due to offside.
Helen Ward was sent in addition to win her 100th appearance and become the fourth Welshwoman to reach the milestone after Ingle, Jess Fishlock and Loren Dykes.
Slovenia’s 2-0 victory in Kazakhstan moved them by a point over Wales in the match for second place and the final.
But Slovenia played one game more than Gemme Grainger and is playing in France on Tuesday.
Wales is playing away to Kazakhstan the same night, having not yet scored a point in six games.
France won 2-0 when the two teams met in Brittany in November and dominated in the early stages at the Parc y Scarlets, while Paris St Germain winger Kadidiatou Diani was a constant threat.
Diani had two chances to start the goal in a few seconds after 16 minutes.
Laura O’Sullivan denied her first attempt at a nearby goal before France recycled the property and hit wide.
Wales had some bright moments in the competitive first half, although French elegant football with one touch often turned it down.
Ingle noticed that the effort was blocked after a penalty shootout, and Fishlock failed to take advantage of Pauline Peyraud-Magnin’s poor shot at the French goal.
Carrie Jones of Manchester United, who replaced suspended Kayleigh Green, also forced a Peyraud-Magnin defense close to the bed.
France broke the deadlock in 31 minutes just seconds after O’Sullivan pushed Renard’s effort perfectly.
Sandie Toletti swung over another corner and Renard climbed to the top again and scored with a header.
France doubled the lead in the 57th minute when O’Sullivan’s attempt was blocked by Katoto, who was left with the simple task of throwing the ball into the void.
Ingle reached the stands with their fifth Wales goal as they shot through a crowd of France defenders.
Diani had a late query with the line and France now needs another win to secure qualifiers for next year’s finals in Australia and New Zealand.