The website dedicated to women's football across the country, at ALL levels of the game

@en

Back to home page

Wales suffer narrow defeat in Denmark

Denmark 1 (Harder 48) Wales 0

In a tightly contested UEFA Nations League match in Odense, a second half goal from Denmark captain Pernille Harder secured a 1-0 victory for the hosts, confirming Wales' relegation from League A.

The result ends a challenging campaign for the Welsh side, although it was not without controversy with Wales appearing to have had scored a first half goal which was not awarded by the officials.

Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson made five changes to the lineup that drew 1-1 with Sweden last month, aware that only a win would keep their hopes of remaining in League A alive, especially after Italy and Sweden played out a 0-0 draw in Parma. However, the match got off to a difficult start for Wales when defender Mayzee Davies suffered a concerning knee injury just three minutes in, forcing her substitution by Alice Griffiths. Denmark seized the early initiative, earning a series of corners.

Harder nearly opened the scoring on seven minutes, heading against the bar, before goalkeeper Olivia Clark made a crucial double save to deny Stine Ballisager and Amalie Vangsgaard, who also missed a golden opportunity from close range later in the half.

Wales grew into the game midway through the first half and came close to taking the lead on 20 minutes. Ceri Holland forced a save from Denmark’s Maja Bay Østergaard, and Jessica Fishlock’s follow up appeared to cross the line, but the officials ruled otherwise.

Holland remained influential, combining well with Fishlock and Lily Woodham, the latter sending an effort over the bar on 38 minutes. Denmark then finished the half strongly, with Harder forcing a block from Josie Green and another save from Clark.

The decisive moment came three minutes after the break when Harder weaved through the Wales defence and slotted the ball past Clark for the opening goal, despite pressure from Gemma Evans. Wales responded positively, with Fishlock and Holland both testing the Danish defence before the hour mark.

Denmark nearly doubled their lead on 71 minutes, but Vangsgaard’s shot from a tight angle was blocked on the line by Hayley Ladd. At the other end, substitute Hannah Cain almost equalised, creating space on the edge of the area only to see her shot sail narrowly over the bar.

Wales pressed hard in the closing stages but could not breach the resilient Danish defence. The final whistle confirmed their relegation from League A. Despite the loss, Wales can take heart from pushing one of Europe’s top teams to the limit, even if they left Odense empty handed.

Attention now shifts to Wales’ final group match against Italy in Swansea on Tuesday evening, as they aim to end the campaign on a positive note.  

Denmark: Maja Bay Ostergaard, Janni Thomsen, Sara Holmgaard, Stine Ballisager, Isabella Obaze, Kathrine Moller Kuhl (sub Johanna Fossdalsa 71mins), Cornelia Kramer (sub Mille Gejl 90mins), Emma Snerle, Amalie Vangsgaard, Pernille Harder, Katrine Veje (sub Frederikke Thogersen 79mins). Subs not used: Kathrine Larsen, Alberte Vingum, Sara Thrige, Caroline Pleidrup, Anna Walter, Sanne Troelsgaard, Olivia Holdt, Sofie Bredgaard, Nadia Nadim.   

Wales: Olivia Clark, Josie Green, Lily Woodham, Mayzee Davies (sub Alice Griffiths 6mins (sub Ffion Morgan 79mins)), Gemma Evans, Hayley Ladd, Ceri Holland, Angharad James, Elise Hughes (sub Hannah Cain 62mins), Jessica Fishlock (sub Rachel Rowe 62mins), Ella Powell (sub Carrie Jones 45mins). Subs not used: Soffia Kelly, Safia Middleton-Patel, Tianna Teisar, Kayleigh Barton, Charlie Estcourt, Lois Joel, Esther Morgan.