Wales women suffer nations league relegation after controversial denmark defeat

RHIAN WILKINSON’S TEAM WENT DOWN 1-0 IN ODENSE PRESS ASSOCIATION 07:32, 31 May 2025Updated 07:32, 31 May 2025 Wales suffered Women’s Nations League relegation after losing 1-0 away to

Denmark in controversial fashion in Group A4. Rhian Wilkinson’s team realistically required victory in Odense to avoid being sent down to League B but Pernille Harder’s 48th-minute strike

consigned them to a third defeat of the campaign and bottom spot. It could have been a different story had Jess Fishlock’s first-half effort been awarded, with her follow-up shot seemingly

crossing the line but not given by the officials and with no VAR in operation, Wales went down narrowly. A 2-1 home loss to Denmark in April put Wales on the verge of relegation from the top

tier and they got off to a poor start on Friday with defender Mayzee Davies forced off after only six minutes. The 18-year-old sustained a knee issue which could put in doubt her

participation in this summer’s European Championship. The early change rocked Wales as Harder headed against the crossbar soon after before Olivia Clark was required to make two saves in

quick succession. Article continues below Wales did regroup and a moment of controversy occurred midway through the half when Ceri Holland was denied by Maja Bay Ostergaard and Fishlock sent

an effort towards goal, but Stine Ballisager got back to clear. Replays later appeared to show the ball had crossed the line, but it remained goalless at the break after Amalie Vangsgaard

squandered a fine opportunity for Denmark and Harder was twice thwarted in quick succession. It would not take Harder long after half-time to break the deadlock, though, as the Danish

forward slotted home in the 48th minute. Wilkinson’s side responded well with a Fishlock header sent over before Holland had a shot saved by Ostergaard. Hannah Cain and Rachel Rowe were

introduced, but Wales failed to find a leveller and relegation to League B was confirmed. Fishlock was left frustrated when interviewed post-match, saying to the BBC: "When it's

about whether you stay in League A or League B and the complications with that, we should be having goal line technology. Article continues below "It's so obviously a goal so

I'm asking the ref 'how did you miss that?' It puts us 1-0 up and changes the game. It's super frustrating." Wilkinson said: "I'm frustrated, it's

lessons for us but, equally, for a competition of this stature this shouldn't be happening. "My team worked hard and put everything on the line; you get a goal, you want your

goal."