France 2 Wales 0: Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud strike to secure victory for Didier Deschamps side
Chris Coleman's position as Wales boss hangs in the balance after disappointing display at Stade de France
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN produced a masterclass to inflict more pain on battling Wales.
The France striker scored his 19th international goal and showed supreme quality in this friendly at the Stade de France.
Arsenal's Olivier Giroud sealed the win with a second half strike but Griezmann was the star of the show against Chris Coleman's men in Paris.
No wonder the Atletico Madrid playmaker has once again been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United.
Griezmann had been criticised in his homeland for a below-par start to the season with a debate over whether he should remain a first-choice for Didier Deschamps' side.
He had not netted for his club side in the last six matches but the 26-year-old responded in emphatic style by showcasing his creative talents, netting the opener and receiving a standing ovation from the home support when he was subbed.
Griezmann broke the offside trap and volleyed home from Corentin Tolisso's clipped through ball to beat Welsh keeper Wayne Hennessey from close range.
But Hennessey, out of favour in recent weeks at Crystal Palace, should have reacted better to keep the ball out.
Wales, who failed to qualify for the World Cup following a devastating 1-0 home defeat to the Republic of Ireland last month, fought hard despite being second best for large periods.
And there was encouragement for boss Coleman - whose future remains in doubt with his contract running out at the end of this month - late on as the trio of young guns Ben Woodburn and debutants Ethan Ampadu and David Brooks impressed and injected new life into the Welsh display.
Cookie's side had a flurry of efforts when Sam Vokes, Ampadu and Chris Gunter were all denied before Giroud settled matters from Kylian Mbappe's centre.
Yet this scoreline was no disgrace because France, who struck the woodwork three times, will arrive in Russia next summer as one of the favourites to replicate their 1998 World Cup success due to their formidable attack.
As well as Griezmann pulling the strings, Deschamps has the world’s second most expensive player in Mbappe and Giroud in his attacking armoury.
Premier League aces Alexandre Lacazette and Anthony Martial came off the bench while Real Madrid's Karim Benzema has not given up hope of playing in the finals. Plus, there is United midfielder Paul Pogba to throw into the mix when the £89million man returns from a hamstring injury.
So it was little surprise that in the early exchanges this match resembled an attack versus defence training game.
France captain Blaise Matuidi and Bayern Munich ace Tolisso had chances before teenage sensation Mbappe crashed the bar - following a delicious Griezmann stepover. Samuel Umtiti and Benjamin Pavard also hit the woodwork.
You sensed the opening goal was coming and Griezmann claimed it on 18 minutes, latching onto Tolisso's pass and beating Hennessey with ease.
Without the crocked Gareth Bale, Wales rarely threatened going forward and it took them until the 36th minute to register a shot when Gunter, who has not scored in 84 appearances, fired into the arms of Steve Mandanda after a penalty claim for a Laurent Koscielny foul on Joe Ledley in the build-up.
