A final 2-1 defeat against Denmark at the Cardiff City Stadium saw Wales miss out on their chance of promotion to the top tier of the Nations League, with the Danes winning the promotion place at their expense.

Denmark’s 0-o draw in Dublin and Wales’ 1-0 win there in the second round of fixtures had given Ryan Giggs’ side hope of promotion following their magnificent 4-1 win against the Irish in Cardiff in their opening fixture. But Wales followed that up with a 2-0 defeat against the Danes in Aarhus so had been left needing a win in their final encounter to have any chance of overtaking Denmark.

But Wales’ defensive vulnerability was exposed shortly before half-time by a Danish counter-attack finished by Nicolai Jorgensen and Martin Braithwaite struck a fine second for them late on. Gareth Bale rounded Kasper Schmeichel in the closing stages to score into an empty net to give Wales hope of saving the game but Denmark survived the late onslaught.

Their 0-0 draw with Ireland in Aarhus concluded the group, with Wales remaining in the second tier and the Irish relegated to the third.

The Nations League now gives way to Euro 2020 qualifiers, with Wales staying in the second tier for the 2020-21 tournament, where they will be joined by Germany, Croatia, Poland and Iceland who were all relegated from League A; and Finland, Norway, Scotland and Serbia who were promoted from League C.

All in all the Nations League got off to a successful start with meaningless friendlies replaced by a passionately contested tournament that can still have a bearing on Euro 2020 qualification, via the tournament play-offs.

Bale was Wales’ top scorer in on two goals, one behind the Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick and Edin Dzeko of the Ukraine in League B.