A second-half fightback saw France Under-20s claim a hard-fought 35-21 victory over Wales Under-20s at the U20 World Championship.
Richard Whiffin's men were firm underdogs at the Stadio Mario Battaglini having lost 63-19 to the French young guns in the Six Nations earlier this year.
Having narrowly been beaten by Argentina Under-20s in their tournament opener, Wales needed what would have been a shock victory to stand any chance of topping Pool B.
Wales fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst in the opening stages as scrum-half Baptiste Tilloles crossed over the whitewash in the third minute - with Diego Jurd adding the conversion.
But Whiffin's side responded to that setback in devastating fashion with three tries in the space of nine minutes.
Prop Sam Scott, wing Tom Bowen and full-back Jack Woods all touched down in a rampant spell for the men in red - with Cardiff fly-half Harri Wilde's trio of conversions putting Wales 21-7 ahead.
Les Bleus were then reduced to 14 men after centre Robin Taccola was shown a yellow card by referee Morgan White as Wales went into the break in Rovigo with a 14-point advantage.
But reigning U20 Six Nations champions France turned up the heat in the second-half and were level in the blink of an eye prior to the hour mark.
Replacement lock Edouard Jabea Njocke touched down in the 53rd minute, with Jurd adding the extras from the tee.
Centre Simeli Daunivucu then notched France's third try three minutes later as Jurd again converted to bring the scores level.
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Wales' hopes of causing an upset were further dented when Bristol Bears prop Louie Trevett was sin-binned in the 59th minute for a dangerous clearout, and it was swiftly upgraded to a red card.
France wasted no time in capitalising on their numerical advantage as wing Xan Mousques scored his side's fourth try to restore France's lead.
Replacement centre Bobby Bissu scored France's fifth try to end any faint hope of a late Welsh revival as Whiffin's men conceded 28 points without reply to ensure they remain winless following their opening two fixtures in Italy.
It also means France have now won each of their last eight games against Wales across the U20 Six Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship
Having started their campaign with a 49-11 win over Spain, France will clinch top spot with victory over Argentina next week.
Wales will face Spain Under-20s in their final pool fixture at the Payanini Center in Verona on Wednesday knowing they are now unable to reach the top tier play-offs.
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