France narrowly overcame a courageous Wales by 9 points to 8 in Auckland to reach the Rugby World Cup final.

Wales suffered heartbreak after captain Sam Warburton was sent off in a controversial and dramatic semi-final showdown.

Warren Gatland's men played for over an hour with 14 men after Warburton was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on France wing Vincent Clerc.

But they still came agonisingly close to victory.

Mike Phillips' try brought them back from 9-3 down before Leigh Halfpenny's halfway-line penalty slid just under the crossbar.

Wales threw everything they had at France but they could not create the opportunity for Stephen Jones to attempt a late drop goal.

France were poor but Morgan Parra landed all three of his penalty attempts while James Hook missed two and Jones failed with his conversion attempt.

In the end, Wales' dream of a first World Cup final appearance died with a knock-on and France, who accounted for England last week, will face either New Zealand or Australia in next Sunday's final.

Warburton's dismissal was the talking point of the match and referee Alain Rolland was booed from the stands and widely criticised for his decision.

But the Irish referee applied the letter of the law after Warburton had tipped Clerc in the tackle and 14-man Wales had to battle for 62 minutes as a result.

Rugby Union World Cup Semi-Final Wales (3) 8 France (6) 9.

Wales: Tries: Phillips. Pens: Hook. Wales: Halfpenny, North, J. Davies, Roberts, S. Williams, Hook, Phillips, Jenkins, Bennett, A. Jones, Charteris, A. Jones, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau. Replacements: James for A. Jones (9), B. Davies for A. Jones (60), R. Jones for Lydiate (55). Not Used: Burns, L. Williams, S. Jones, S. Williams. Sent Off: Warburton (17).

France: Pens: Parra 3. France: Medard, Clerc, Rougerie, Mermoz, Palisson, Parra, Yachvili, Poux, Servat, Mas, Pape, Nallet, Dusautoir, Bonnaire, Harinordoquy. Replacements: Barcella for Poux (45), Szarzewski for Servat (45), Pierre for Pape (61), Ouedraogo for Bonnaire (75). Not Used: Trinh-Duc, Doussain, Heymans.

Att: 50,000 Ref: Alain Rolland (Ireland).