Melvyn Jaminet’s seventh penalty handed France a first win in Australia for 31 years with a dramatic 28-26 victory in Melbourne.
Full-back Jaminet’s 23-point haul with the boot proved pivotal, as Les Bleus levelled the three-Test series at one win apiece.
Damian Penaud claimed France’s only try in a bruising encounter, as the visitors hit back after their 23-21 defeat in the first Test.
Jake Gordon and Michael Hooper crossed for the Wallabies, who took the lead for the first time after 75 minutes thanks to Noah Lolesio’s fourth penalty.
But just when Australia looked to grind to another win, France powered the hosts off the ball at the scrum.
Jaminet then kept his nerve to dispatch the penalty, and seal France’s win.