Wales 24-23 Japan result - Quilter Nations Series win for Wales after last-minute Jarrod Evans penalty

Test Match

Principality Stadium / 15.11.2025

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20:07

WALES BAG LAST-MINUTE WINNER OVER JAPAN TO SEAL FAVOURABLE WORLD CUP DRAW

Jarrod Evans scored a last-minute penalty as Wales came back to beat Japan 24-23 in a topsy-turvy match in Cardiff.

Wales raced into a 7-0 lead thanks to Dan Edwards' try and conversion, before Japan responded with a try of their own thanks to Kippei Ishida.

Despite a flurry of cards, as Japan briefly went down to 13 men and Josh Adams saw yellow at the end of the half, neither side could find a breakthrough.

Adams's card was upgraded to a 20-minute red, but Wales retook the lead thanks to a Louis Rees-Zammit try on his first start in two years.

However, Wales and Japan exchanged points in a frenetic 10-minute period, and Japan emerged with a slender two-point advantage.

The Cherry Blossoms looked set to hold on to victory but gave away a late penalty, which substitute fly-half Evans kicked over to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The win sees Wales set to be in pot two for next month's World Cup draw, and so they are set to avoid the likes of Scotland, Australia and Italy.

20:00

WATCH: EVANS PENALTY AT THE DEATH GIVES WALES PRICELESS VICTORY

'Hero for a day' - Evans penalty at the death gives Wales a priceless victory against Japan

Video credit: TNT Sports

19:56

WATCH: JARROD EVANS TALKS US THROUGH THE GAME-WINNING PENALTY

19:51

WATCH: REES-ZAMMIT SCORES HIS FIRST TRY SINCE WALES RETURN

'Wales will take anything right now' - Rees-Zammit scores his first try since his Wales return

Video credit: TNT Sports

19:46

WATCH: TOMPKINS KEEPS WELSH HOPES ALIVE WITH TRY AGAINST JAPAN

'That is impact' - Tompkins keeps Welsh hopes alive with try against Japan

Video credit: TNT Sports

19:36

FULL TIME! WALES 24-23 JAPAN

Somehow, just somehow, Wales have done it.

They looked second best for most of the match, but have won it at the death thanks to Jarrod Evans' penalty after a fantastic maul drove the side forward.

Japan looked like they had it in the bag, but some late ill-discipline has cost them dearly.

All of this means Wales are set to bag a spot in pot two for the World Cup draw.

80'

PENALTY! WALES 24-23 JAPAN (EVANS)

It is indirect so Wales have to go for the corner.

The maul rumbles forward. Japan can't contain it. They are within three metres and they win a penalty for collapsing the maul!

Evans with the kick to the posts for the win. He's just come on. And he gets it!

Wales win at the death!

80'

WALES GET LATE PENALTY FOR ONE FINAL CHANCE

Wales are struggling to make the yards. This is a heroic defensive effort from Japan and Makisi swallows it up! Japan have control now with two minutes left and Wales are inside their own 22.

Jarrod Evans is on at fly-half. Wales will need to muscle their way across the entire pitch if they want to win.

Mann gets space before getting clattered by three Japanese players but Wales are moving forward.

The collision will be scrutinised with seconds remaining. Harry Hockins has gotten a yellow card for that.

77'

ONE LAST PUSH FOR WALES

Seung-Sin Lee has to go off for a head injury assessment as Japan win a penalty. They will have to kick for touch. It was very far out though.

Saito is wrestled into touch and Wales have a lineout with three minutes remaining.

Freddie Thomas and Liam Belcher are on for the last few minutes.

76'

JAPAN HOLDING FIRM FOR NOW

Here comes the Wales counter. But Plumtree knocks on and back we go.

Now they are pouring forward, but Japan chase a kick forward and thankfully for Wales, it is Rees-Zammit pouring back and he has the pace to recover.

With five minutes to go, Japan look to be holding firm.

70'

HOW CAN WALES RESPOND?

This game has swung back and forth several times over the last 15 minutes. Now Japan have the advantage, but any score will do for Wales with 12 minutes remaining.

The visitors fly forward once more and threaten Wales's 22.

They are now right on the try line with an advantage. The cross-field kick doesn't work so it will come back to the penalty.

66'

PENALTY! WALES 21-23 JAPAN (LEE)

Japan were sloppy to give away a penalty right after scoring but Wales have just dones the same thing.

Japan will go for the posts to take the lead though.

Lee has been decent with his kicking, and is strong once more, and Japan restore their lead again.

64'

TRY! WALES 21-20 JAPAN (TOMPKINS)

Nick Tompkins comes on as the effective replacement for Josh Adams. Wales have 19 minutes to answer back.

They have a line-out in Japan's 22. The Principality Stadium wakes up again.

After a few phases, Tompkins spies the gap to dive forward and Wales have another try!

Can Edwards convert for the lead? Yes he can!

61'

TRY! WALES 14-20 JAPAN (MAKISI)

This is Japan's last chance with the man advantage. They have gambled everything for the try.

Makisi dives forward and gets to the line! Just as the red card expires, Japan burst into the lead!

59'

JAPAN DEEP INTO THE WALES 22

Saito claims a Rees-Zammit kick and scampers forward into space before winning a line-out.

Japan play quickly again and are in the Welsh 22 once more.

They win a penalty out wide. Will they kick for the lead?

No, they go for the corner.

56'

PENALTY! WALES 14-13 JAPAN (LEE)

The Principality Stadium is buzzing a lot more than it has all match after that try. Wales have looked better with 14 men than they did with a two-man advantage.

However, Japan are responding well, getting more space and winning a penalty in the Wales 22.

Lee kicks for the posts and knocks over an easy three points.

51'

TRY! WALES 14-10 JAPAN (REES-ZAMMIT)

What do Wales have in them? Japan completely deserve to lead.

They push hard from a lineout in the 22 and after a ricochet, Plumtree gets close.

Wales push the ball wide and this time Rees-Zammit has it and goes over!

48'

PENALTY! WALES 7-10 JAPAN (LEE)

Japan finally win a penalty and they will go for the points now.

No mistake from Lee, who plants the central kick directly between the posts.

46'

JAPAN ALL OVER WALES

Japan start the half positively, now the ones with the player advantage, but a very marginal forward pass call stops an impending try.

You don't need to be an expert to realise how key these next 20 minutes are for both sides.

It is all Japan.

41'

ADAMS YELLOW CARD UPGRADED TO RED

Wales will be starting the half with 14 after the late Adams tackle. As things stand, Japan will move ahead of Wales into the top 12 and into pot 2 for the World Cup draw.

TMO have made a decision on the Adams yellow card. It has been upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

'We have to wait and see' - Adams shown yellow card during Wales' ill-tempered clash with Japan

Video credit: TNT Sports

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