Wales defeated by Denmark in Nations League, as Liverpool star stretchered off
Cardiff, Wales 04 April 2025. UEFA Women's Nations League A Group Four match between Wales and Denmark.
Wales were defeated 2-1 by Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium, as they remain bottom of their Nations League group.
Signe Bruun had given the visitors an early lead, but Ceri Holland pegged them back midway through the first half. However, Denmark found a winner with 18 minutes remaining through Amalie Vangsgaard.
However, the major talking point after the game will be the fitness of Holland, who was stretchered off in the 89th minute.
Rhian Wilkinson elected to make five changes from the side that drew with Sweden last time out in Wrexham. There were returns for Rhiannon Roberts, Lily Woodham, Rachel Rowe, Hannah Cain, and Ffion Morgan. Among the names to drop out were Carrie Jones and Lois Joel, while Jess Fishlock was once again named on the bench.
Denmark manager Andrée Jeglertz made four changes to the side that defeated Italy. The most notable change came up front, with Real Madrid striker Signe Bruun replacing Juventus’ Amalie Vangsgaard.
Wales started slowly and it cost them, as Denmark took the lead after seven minutes. Sara Holmgaard’s hopeful cross was flicked on by Pernille Harder into the path of Bruun. The Madridista swung her leg at the ball, and somehow, it crept into the bottom corner and out of the reach of Olivia Clark.
In truth, the Danes had Wilkinson’s side on the ropes for the opening half hour. Clark had to be alert to make a fingertip save to deny Sofie Bredgaard, Pernille Harder’s effort inside the box rose over the bar, while Sanne Troelsgaard hit the crossbar with a glancing header.
At times, Wales were at sixes and sevens defensively, and going forward, it felt like there was too much hesitation to get at their opponents. But on the half hour mark, a switch had seemingly been flicked for Cymru.
Suddenly, driving runs from the likes of Rowe and Ceri Holland and Wales in the driving seat. The latter’s cross found its way to Woodham at the back post, but her effort was blocked well by Frederikke Thøgersen.
Minutes later, Wales were able to find the back of the net. Roberts delivery into the box found Holland lurking at the back post, and after showing a great bit of composure to cut back inside, she powered her shot into the roof of the net.
After looking so comfortable, Denmark were now the ones panicking at the back, unable to find a way out, and at the break, the second half looked very much up for grabs.
For all the excitement that the second half could bring, for the vast majority of it, it didn’t live up to the billing. While the game was open, neither nation could find that cutting edge in front of goal. But, in the final 20 minutes, chances began to flow.
Initially, Wales were given a huge let off. A ball over the top of the defence caught Cymru out, and that allowed Sofie Svava to play the ball back across to Vangsgaard, but somehow, she squandered her one-on-one attempt.
Moments later, it was Wales’ turn to create a glorious chance. Alice Griffiths’ searching looped ball found the run of Cain expertly, and she was allowed to race through one-on-one with the keeper, but the Leicester forward was denied by Østergaard.
Just 28 seconds later, and Denmark were through again, and this time, they didn’t fluff their lines. Emma Snerle carved the Welsh defence open with a fine through ball, and there to collect it was Vangsgaard, who rolled the ball past Clark and into the bottom corner.
But as Wales tried to find a way back into the game, they were dealt a hammer blow. Holland had a knee-on-knee collision with a Danish player and was visibly distraught on the pitch. She would be stretchered off, and Wilkinson’s side had to find an equaliser without their taliswoman.
A total of ten minutes were added on at the end, and Cymru were on the front foot for most of it. Lois Joel fired just over the bar, as the hosts pushed for a valuable point. Exposed at the back, Harder almost caught Wales and Clark out as she tried to lob the keeper from 30-yards out, but the ball bounced wide.
Luckily for Denmark, that miss mattered not in the end, as they held on to take all three points.
Rhian Wilkinson’s side will next be in action on Tuesday evening, as they travel to Gothenburg to face Sweden. Kick-off is at 6pm.
Player of the Match: Ceri Holland
The injury will be the biggest cloud looming over this game, but before then, Holland was having a blinder. Driving runs down the wing, fine crosses into the box, and such a well taken goal. I just hope and pray the injury is not as bad as it looked.
Wales
Olivia Clark, Rhiannon Roberts, Josie Green (Elise Hughes 87’), Gemma Evans, Lily Woodham, Hayley Ladd, Angharad James © (Alice Griffiths 66’), Ceri Holland (Ella Powell 89’), Hannah Cain, Rachel Rowe (Lois Joel 66’), Ffion Morgan (Carrie Jones 46’)
Unused subs: Laura O’Sullivan-Jones, Safia Middleton-Patel, Mayzee Davies, Mary McAteer, Jess Fishlock, Charlie Estcourt, Esther Morgan
Goals: Ceri Holland (34’)
Denmark
Maja Østergaard, Sanne Troelsgaard, Stine Ballisager, Katrine Veje (Sofie Svava 46’), Frederikke Thøgersen, Kathrine Kühl (Janni Thomsen 59’), Josefine Hasbo, Sara Holmgaard, Sofie Bredgaard (Emma Snerle 59’), Signe Bruun (Amalie Vangsgaard 59’), Pernille Harder ©
Unused subs: Kathrine Larsen, Alberte Vingum, Sara Thrige, Emma Færge, Isabella Obaze, Cornelia Kramer, Jóhanna Fossdalsá, Olivia Holdt
Goals: Signe Bruun (7’), Amalie Vangsgaard (72’)
Yellows: Amalie Vangsgaard (90’)
