Wales 1 Denmark 2: Gareth Bale’s late strike not enough after Nicolai Jorgensen and Martin Braithwaite put Danes in control to secure Nations League promotion
Ryan Giggs' side have to settle for second place in the group as Denmark seal promotion to top tier of new competition and Ireland's relegation is confirmed
GARETH BALE'S late strike was not enough as Wales failed to win promotion to Group A of the Nations League after this home defeat to Denmark.
Goals from Nicolai Jorgensen and Martin Braithwaite in either half before Bale's consolation means the Danes will move into Europe’s elite for the next competition in 2020.
The victory in Cardiff sees Denmark leapfrog Wales and hold a one-point advantage over Wales, who have played all their matches, with the bonus of a fixture against the Republic of Ireland on Monday remaining.
Wales created the better chances in the opening period but could not find a way past Kasper Schmeichel until Bale slotted home in the dying seconds.
Bale tested the Leicester goalkeeper with a dipping long range effort before James Chester headed wide from an inviting David Brooks cross.
Talisman Bale thought he had scored but his header at the back post flashed a yard wide.
Newcastle’s Paul Dummett appeared to pull a muscle and was withdrawn.
That allowed Chris Gunter to equal Neville Southall’s all-time cap record with his 92nd appearance.
Denmark, ranked tenth in the world, soaked up the pressure and took the lead three minutes before the interval through Jorgensen.
A swift counter-attack saw Thomas Delaney and Yussuf Poulsen combine to send the Feyenoord striker clean through and he calmly slotted the ball beyond Hennessey.
Wales were forced into a second defensive change when Chester limped off to be replaced by Ethan Ampadu.
The lively Brooks fired a shot off target after a mazy run from the Bournemouth wideman.
As Wales pressed for an equaliser, they left gaps at the back and Poulsen could have doubled their advantage when he shot over the crossbar after Eriksen’s neat pass.
Schmeichel produced a fantastic save to deny Bale’s free-kick and push the ball onto the post.
Kasper Dolberg sparked a melee late on when he fouled Ampadu and the Chelsea teen star crashed into the advertising boards. Ampadu seeked revenge moments later when he barged Dolberg to earn a caution.
The Danes faced a nervy finish when Bale raced onto Ashley Williams' long pass but clung on to seal the win.