Wales' Elise Hughes follows up Jess Fishlock's shot as Denmark's Stine Ballisager slides in to clearFAW

Wales thought Jess Fishlock's first-half shot had crossed the goalline

Chris Wathan
BBC Sport Wales in Odense, Denmark

Wales have been relegated from the top tier of the Nations League following a controversial 1-0 defeat by Denmark in Odense.

A solo goal from Bayern Munich's Pernille Harder three minutes after the interval ensured Rhian Wilkinson's side cannot finish higher than fourth in Group A4.

But the decisive score came after Jess Fishlock appeared to have given Wales a first-half lead when she looked to have squeezed the ball over the line – only for it not to be awarded by Portuguese referee Catarina Campos.

Goal-line technology was not in use at the Odense Stadion, with Uefa saying the decision to use goal-line technology during Nations League A games "lies with the host association for each match".

Denmark did have several other chances to score, with Denmark's captain and record goalscorer Harder also hitting the crossbar.

And with Wales unable to come back into the contest, the defeat confirmed Wales will start the next edition of the tournament in League B – which will also include a more convoluted qualification path to the 2027 World Cup.

It also means Wales are still searching for a first competitive win over a side ranked in the world's top 20 heading towards their major tournament debut at Euro 2025 this summer.

They have another opportunity when they take on Italy in Swansea on Tuesday in their final Nations League fixture.

Missed opportunity

But Wilkinson and her players will no doubt question whether this should have been the moment their undoubted progress was rewarded with a scalp.

Both players and the head coach had said they were relaxed that they had yet to win in this campaign against sides who will also be appearing in Switzerland this summer.

And they had referred to fine margins that had cost them in games against Denmark in Cardiff last month and in the impressive 1-1 draw with Sweden last month.

But Fishlock certainly appeared to have ensured Wales got over that fine line when she followed up on Ceri Holland's 21st minute shot, the ball appearing to have been completely over the whitewash before Stine Ballisager's clearance.

The effort – which had followed a lovely, sweeping move – had been Wales' first chance of note after an intense opening period of pressure.

Indeed, Denmark could have easily been ahead in the early stages with former Chelsea forward Harder heading against the bar after just seven minutes and goalkeeper Olivia Clark – one of five changes from the draw in Gothenburg last month – doing well to push Amalie Vangsgaard's shot over soon after.

Wales looked rattled, especially having also seen Manchester City teenager Mayzee Davies helped off the pitch in some discomfort after just four minutes. On crutches at the final whistle, every injury is now a greater concern with the Euros opener less than five weeks away.

Highlights: Wales narrowly beaten in Denmark

But Wales did find their composure, frustrating Denmark and threatening with clever movement and counter attacks.

With Fishlock back in the side after injury and gaining welcome minutes ahead of the Euros, Wales looked a team comfortable in their roles, with captain Angharad James also impressing.

And a superb last-ditch block from Josie Green on Harder – and further smart goalkeeping from Clark – late on ensured they were deservedly level at the interval.

But no sooner had they re-emerged, Harder made the most of a missed tackle in the middle of the Wales half and ghosted into the area, weaving wide to the right and then angling a shot past Clark.

With the 0-0 draw between Italy and Sweden in the group's other game meaning Wales had to win to avoid relegation, they did throw bodies forward in an attempt to force the issue with Hannah Cain looking sharp from the bench.

But in a compliment to Wales' progress, Denmark dropped deep and denied Wales their hopes of a comeback.

And while Wales will again take heart from pushing a top side as they took another step to the Euros, the wait for that statement win goes on.

Was that a goal for Wales?

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