Wales secured a dramatic 18-15 victory against Scotland in the Rugby World Cup group stage.

Wales and Scotland, both in Pool A, were playing their first match of the tournament, which is currently taking place in New Zealand.

The two sides met at the Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei, with the 3,225 fans in attendance treated to a thrilling encounter.

Wales 18-15 Scotland

Wales led 15-5 at the break but were pegged back by their opponents in the second-half, with Scotland bringing the score back to 15-15.

To make matters worse, Wales had to close out the last 15 minutes of the match with 14 players, after both Cara Hope and Jasmine Joyce were sent off.

Scotland came close to victory when Megan Gaffney drew her team level with a 78th-minute try, but Helen Nelson missed the resulting conversion kick.

Scotland and Wales play at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand

WHANGAREI, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 09: Scotland wins their line-out during the Pool A Rugby World Cup 2021 New Zealand match match between Wales and Scotland at Northland Events Centre on October 09, 2022, in Whangarei, New Zealand. (Photo by Greg Bowker/Getty Images)

This would come back to haunt the Scottish, who then conceded a last-minute penalty. Welsh scrum-half Keira Bevan stepped up to take the kick, keeping her cool to give her side the win.

The 84th-minute penalty was shortly followed by the final whistle and jubilant celebrations from the Welsh players.

Scotland now face an uphill battle to reach the quarter-finals. New Zealand and Australia are the favourites to progress from Pool A, but there is also a route to the knockout stages for the two best third-place teams.

Video: Watch Keira Bevan's last-gasp penalty at the Rugby World Cup

What did Keira Bevan say after her last-gasp penalty?

Bevan was chosen to take the crucial penalty in absence of player of the match Elinor Snowsill, who by that point had left the field.

"As soon as the referee's arm went out for a penalty, I kind of in the back of my head thought we were in kicking range," said Bevan.

"When it was officially given, we had a bit of a debate on the field about who was kicking it and I made a bit of song and dance about it!

"The message came on that if I was confident to let me take it, and I was striking them well in the warm-up.

"First of all I couldn't look. I knew I had struck it well as soon as it left my boot. As soon as the final whistle went, I got swamped. I didn't know whether to be happy or cry.

"The emotion was relief because we had done it in the manner we had.It was a really tough game and we are delighted to get the win. I just wish we could make it easier for ourselves."