The All Blacks, installed as 1-7 favourites to send the hosts crashing out of their own tournament, raced into a 13-0 lead through a try from Luke McAlister and the boot of Dan Carter.

But in shades of the 1999 semi-final, France staged a remarkable second-half comeback that ensured New Zealand’s agonising wait for World Cup glory must continue for at least another four years.

Stade Francais fly-half Lionel Beauxis booted two penalties to give Les Bleus hope – and when Thierry Dusautoir crossed in the 55th minute, the match was blown wide open.

Rodney So’oialo barged over to give New Zealand some breathing space. But Yannick Jauzion finished a Frederic Michalak break, and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde converted to win the match.

France burst into life after abandoning the kicking gameplan that helped the All Blacks surge ahead in the opening half-hour.

The tactics left Les Bleus having to repel a series of counter-attacks, and it was no coincidence New Zealand scored most of their points in this period.

It was also no coincidence that when France kept the ball in hand, New Zealand were exposed and had little idea how to respond to the increasing enthusiasm of their opponents.

With Australia losing to England earlier today, next weekend’s semi-final line-up will be without the All Blacks and Wallabies for the first time in World Cup history.

The Six Nations rivals will view the statistic as vindication following the barrage – led by the southern hemisphere – of criticism that descended after their slow start to the World Cup.

A ferociously performed Haka left the two sides eyeball-to-eyeball on the halfway line with several All Blacks – So’oialo in particular – reluctant to take up their positions for kick-off.

Worrying scenes brought the opening exchanges to a close when Serge Betsen went down after taking a bang to his head from a stray knee while tackling Joe Rokocoko.

The Stade Francais flanker was put in the recovery position and required lengthy treatment before leaving the pitch on shaky legs, clearly concussed, with Imanol Harinordoquy plugging the gap.

Damien Traille dragged a drop goal wide when play resumed, and France were able to pile on the pressure after Carter attempted a suicidal chip inside his own 22.

The All Blacks recovered, however, and unleashed wave after wave of attacks by keeping the ball alive – until eventually France buckled and conceded the penalty.

Carter obliged with the three points, and only a try-saving tackle from Vincent Clerc prevented Ali Williams extending the lead in the 17th minute.

But New Zealand were moving through the gears with ominous speed – and the French line cracked seconds later, McAlister combining with Jerry Collins to finish the move he started.

France’s only answer to the All Black assault was to punt the ball into the opposition half – a tactic they repeated every time they won possession.

Even when they had some space Cedric Heymans opted for a kick which fell straight into the arms of Leon MacDonald, initiating another New Zealand counter.

Fly-half Beauxis missed a penalty, and Traille’s awful bomb that bounced out of the in-goal area summed up the standard of France’s work with the boot.

Finally, in the 37th minute they decided to run – and their ambition paid off as New Zealand came under pressure and infringed, giving Elissalde an easy shot at goal.

The Toulouse scrum-half’s effort sailed wide. But Beauxis succeeded in getting France off the mark on the stroke of half-time, the All Blacks once again conceding a penalty to halt Les Bleus.

Another three points from Beauxis reduced the deficit to 13-6 six minutes into the second half, after a 15-metre rolling maul had pinned the All Blacks back.

Worse still for New Zealand, McAlister was sin-binned for a blatant block on David Marty as Beauxis probed successfully with the boot.

Sebastien Chabal’s arrival from the bench was welcomed by the French fans, who were given even more reason to cheer when the hosts crossed in the 55th minute.

They almost went over through Olivier Milloud – but the prop did not have the legs to finish the move.

However, the ball was recycled several times and eventually found Dusautoir who ran through a tackle from Mils Muliaina to touch down – with Beauxis slotting the conversion.

New Zealand were clearly rattled, making unforced errors – and when star playmaker Carter trooped off in the 59th minute they faced a massive test of character.

The score was tied 13-13 heading into the final quarter, and New Zealand responded to the deadlock is magnificent fashion – using their forwards to batter away at the French line.

The attack was relentless, and eventually the breakthrough came – So’oialo barging over from close range, with McAlister missing the conversion.

Michalak came on from France, replacing Beauxis, and made an immediate impact by supporting Traille’s break at pace and dashing up field.

The Toulouse fly-half appeared to have run out of space – but Jauzion was on his shoulder and the centre finished the move, with Elissalde converting to put France ahead for the first time.

New Zealand piled forward in the closing moments, with McAlister trying a drop goal – but France clung on with Elissalde kicking to touch to complete a remarkable upset.