Football news - Gareth Bale late show in vain for Wales as Denmark win promotion showdown in Cardiff

Wales missed out on promotion to League A in the Nations League as Denmark were promoted following a 2-1 win in Cardiff, with Ireland being relegated as a result.

Ryan Giggs' side needed a win to seal their place in League A, but it was always going to be a difficult task after Denmark took a first-half lead. Nicholai Jorgensen opened the scoring for the Danes towards the conclusion of an end-to-end half, capping a rapid, free-flowing counter-attack move.

Wales had actually created the better chances up until that point, with James Chester and the returning Gareth Bale both heading over from dangerous territory.

The home side rallied after the break, with Kasper Schmeichel pulling off a world-class save to keep out Bale's goal-bound free-kick, and Martin Braithwaite added a killer second with only two minutes to play.

Wales finally broke the Danes' resilience a minute later with Bale getting on the scoresheet to set up an enthralling finale, but Age Hareide's side held on to claim their place in the top tier of the competition.

This young Wales side have garnered some decent results under the former Manchester United assistant, but they continue to come up short against the teams of real quality, and tonight they were too open in defence - the balance wasn't quite right. The football may not have been pretty under Giggs' predecessor Chris Coleman, but he knew how to set up against the bigger nations to achieve the desired outcome. Judging by his results - a heavy defeat to Spain, consecutive losses to Denmark - it appears Giggs is still trying to figure out the secret.

Denmark's front three caused Wales problems all night, and it was Braithwaite who asked the most questions of the home side's defence. Continually finding pockets of space between the lines, the Middlesbrough playmaker was always likely to punish his opponent and his fine strike for the second goal ultimately decided the game.

Wales: Hennessey 6, Roberts 6, Chester 5, Williams 6, Dummett N/A, Allen 5, Ramsey 4, Lawrence 6, Brooks 8, Roberts 4, Bale 8. Subs: Gunter 5, Wilson 5, Ampadu 6.

Denmark: Schmeichel 8, Dalsgaard 7, Christensen 7, Zanka 7, Larsen 7, Delaney 7, Schone 6, Poulsen 7, Eriksen 7, Braithwaite 8, Jorgensen 7. Subs: Lerager 5, Dolberg 5.

10' - MISSED OPPORTUNITY! Chester simply must score! Brooks delivers an inch-perfect cross to the back post and somehow the unmarked Aston Villa defender glances his header wide from a matter of yards.

35 ' - GREAT CHANCE! Bale spurns a golden chance! Roberts stands up a teasing cross to the back post, Bale towers above his marker and, would you believe it, head wide from a really promising position.

42' - GOAL! Wales 0-1 Denmark: Oh, what a lovely team goal. Wales lose the ball from their own corner and Denmark break at speed. A number of one-touch passes releases Jorgensen, who calmly slots it home with just the goalkeeper to beat. Textbook counter-attacking. Poulson and Delaney involved in the build-up.

58' - CLOSE! Here comes Brooks again. He just loves running at defenders. After riding a couple of challenges, he is allowed to cut onto his left-foot and curls a shot towards the top corner. However, it drifts just over the top of Schmeichel's far post.

83' - FANTASTIC SAVE! Bale curls his free-kick up and over the wall. The ball is destined for the top corner until Schmeichel leaps across his goal to make a really clever save. That is one of the best stops you will see all season!

88' - GOAL! Wales 0-2 Denmark: A throw-in is flicked into the path of Braithwaite who finds the top corner with a terrific volley for only his third international goal. That will seal it.

89' - GOAL! Wales 1-2 Denmark: Game on?! Williams hoofs the ball forward and in turn releases Bale. The Real Madrid star takes the ball around the goalkeeper with a beautiful first touch and slides it into an empty net with his second.