France 2-0 Wales: Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud strike to down Chris Coleman's side in Paris

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The chatter around Antoine Griezmann has gone a little quiet amid a modest campaign by his standards, but this was evidence that Manchester United's current attacking issues would be greatly eased by his addition.

The Atletico Madrid forward was imperious for his country, scoring against Wales and earning a rapturous send-off when substituted in the second half of this friendly that could have been the Euro 2016 final last summer had Portugal not halted Chris Coleman's side.

There will be no World Cup for Wales but this glamour encounter at the Stade de France was a mark of their recent progress, the last meeting having come in 1982.

Olivier Giroud's deflected effort late in the second half made it 2-0 to France in Paris

The Arsenal man celebrated with arms outstretched as dejection spread across Wales players

The bearded forward celebrated with Kingsley Coman and Co after settling the victory

A dejected Wayne Hennessey picked the ball out of the back of the goal after Giroud's effort

Wales won 1-0 that night but a repeat always looked slim and though there were a few moments to encourage the visitors France's class told, with Olivier Giroud adding a second.

Coleman was able to give first caps to youngsters Ethan Ampadu and David Brooks, with Ben Woodburn also getting more minutes. Ampadu was involved in Wales' best moment late on when Aaron Ramsey flicked his shot and drew a fine save from Steve Mandanda.

That emerging talent coming through is part of the persuasion for Coleman to stay on as manager, as is the pull of working with Gareth Bale.

The news that Bale may miss the rest of 2017 through another injury broke in the build-up to kick-off and while of little immediate consequence it must be a longer-term concern for Wales that their star player is spending increasing time on the sidelines.

Bale had already been overruled in his desire to play in this fixture by Real Madrid on grounds of fitness, but even he would have struggled to impose himself against a French side that were rampant at times.

Antoine Griezmann had opened the scoring with a close range, volleyed effort early on

The Athletico Madrid ace wheeled away in celebration after breaking the deadlock

Team-mates soon joined the talisman to congratulate his effort at the Stade de France

Kylian Mbappe and others piled upon goal scorer Griezmann after putting their side in front

Youngster Ethan Ampadu, who entered as a late sub, battled with striker Alexandre Lacazette

In Griezmann, Giroud, Kylian Mbappe, and Kingsley Coman Wales were repeatedly cut apart by a carousel of forwards expressing the imagination of the best impressionist painters. Griezmann was the artist-in-chief, appearing everywhere and using his vision to get France beyond the back-three system reverted to by Coleman in acceptance Wales would need to do a lot of defending.

In the eighth minute Griezmann's low cross deserved better than to be skewed wide by Corentin Tolisso, and soon after it was the his stepover that transformed Giroud's pass and freed Mbappe. The Paris Saint-Germain striker hit his finish hard but Wayne Hennssey just got a foot to it, sending the ball crashing against the bar and out.

So Griezmann took it upon himself to break the deadlock. Tolisso produced a sand wedge pass over the Welsh defence and Griezmann volleyed the ball as it dropped over his shoulder. Hennessey, who got hands to it, probably should have saved but that should not detract from Griezmann's skill.

It took Wales until the 36th minute to register a shot but it was a good chance, Chris Gunter arriving onto Neil Taylor's cross. But Gunter's tame finish told of a player who has not scored for his country in 84 caps.

Giroud made the win secure in the 71st minute, benefitting from a big deflection when striking Mbappe's cross. Samuel Umtiti and Benjamin Pavard then each hit the woodwork and Wales were thankful the score remained at two. 

Aaron Ramsey found himself under pressure from the France midfield and tracking forwards

Manager Chris Coleman watched on from his technical area as his side slipped behind

Laurent Koscielny leaps to battle for an aerial ball with Wales midfielder Joe Ledley