Wales suffered a defeat to Norway in Oslo to dent their hopes of staying in the top tier of the Nations League.
Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup struck in the space of nine second-half minutes as Norway turned the screw.
Substitute David Brooks halved the deficit 11 minutes from time as Wales finished strongly.
However, Connor Roberts brought down Schjelderup and Erling Haaland converted from the penalty spot, extending his Nations League goals record to 23, as Norway avenged their October defeat in Cardiff.
It means Wales will definitely finish bottom of Group A4, irrespective of Tuesday’s result at home to Portugal.
Although they could finish on six points with Denmark and Norway, they have a worse head-to-head record against both nations – and could now face a play-off in March to avoid relegation to Group B.
David Brooks celebrates scoring for Wales. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
***
Portugal 1-4 Denmark
Portugal were hammered by Denmark on Saturday, an embarrassing Nations League defeat in their first match without Cristiano Ronaldo following the superstar forward’s retirement from international football.
Rasmus Hojlund starred with a superb brace as Denmark moved into second place in Group A4 and closed in on a spot in the quarter-finals with a brilliant display in Braga.
The Danes are on nine points from five fixtures, three behind Portugal who were already sure of qualification for the last eight having won all four of their previous group fixtures.
A draw against third-placed Norway on Tuesday, 3-1 winners over Wales earlier, will see Denmark through.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Ahead of kick-off Portugal paid tribute to Ronaldo, who announced his exit from the international game last week, with the team and mascots walking out wearing Ronaldo’s number seven and his name on their jerseys.
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Fans held up a huge banner which read “Thank you captain” as the teams entered the field, while applause rolled around the stadium once the match clock hit seven.
Denmark were the better team from the first minute, and it was no surprise when the away team went in at the break thanks to Pierre-Emile’s Hojbjerg’s spot-kick in the 43rd minute.
Denmark's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, centre, celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Hojlund lashed home a brilliant volley four minutes after the restart and seven minutes later left the home crowd shellshocked with a strike of which Ronaldo would have been proud, the Napoli striker skipping past Rúben Dias before crashing home a powerful shot from the edge of the area.
Denmark's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates after scoring his side's second goal. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Boos and whistles began to ring out at the Estadio Municipal when Joachim Andersen headed in the fourth, and Bernardo Silva’s late consolation effort barely dampened the discontent.
***
Northern Ireland 1-0 Ukraine
Terry Devlin’s first international goal kept Northern Ireland top of their Nations League group as a 1-0 win over Ukraine set up a promotion decider away to Hungary on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Devlin has been in the goals for Portsmouth this term with four, and opened his Northern Ireland account with a fine strike in the 68th minute as he left Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin flat-footed with a shot from distance.
Terry Devlin celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Pierce Charles then made a superb save to deny Danylo Sikan at the death and preserve Northern Ireland’s fifth straight clean sheet – the first time they have achieved that since 2017 – and ensure they remain the only side in the competition yet to concede.
The three points put Northern Ireland back on top of Group B2 after Hungary’s 2-0 win over Georgia earlier in the afternoon, and ruled Ukraine out of contention as they lost three straight matches for the first time in six years.
A draw in Budapest would be enough to elevate Michael O’Neill’s young side to League A, while even in defeat they would face a play-off in March, and they have also earned a pot two place in next month’s Euro 2028 draw.
However, O’Neill will need to watch Tuesday’s match from the stands as he joined Jamie Donley – who had a first-half strike ruled out for offside – in earning a late yellow card that results in a suspension.
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Clinical Norway dent Wales’ top-tier hopes, Portugal suffer hammering against Denmark
Norway 3-1 Wales
Wales suffered a defeat to Norway in Oslo to dent their hopes of staying in the top tier of the Nations League.
Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup struck in the space of nine second-half minutes as Norway turned the screw.
Substitute David Brooks halved the deficit 11 minutes from time as Wales finished strongly.
However, Connor Roberts brought down Schjelderup and Erling Haaland converted from the penalty spot, extending his Nations League goals record to 23, as Norway avenged their October defeat in Cardiff.
It means Wales will definitely finish bottom of Group A4, irrespective of Tuesday’s result at home to Portugal.
Although they could finish on six points with Denmark and Norway, they have a worse head-to-head record against both nations – and could now face a play-off in March to avoid relegation to Group B.
***
Portugal 1-4 Denmark
Portugal were hammered by Denmark on Saturday, an embarrassing Nations League defeat in their first match without Cristiano Ronaldo following the superstar forward’s retirement from international football.
Rasmus Hojlund starred with a superb brace as Denmark moved into second place in Group A4 and closed in on a spot in the quarter-finals with a brilliant display in Braga.
The Danes are on nine points from five fixtures, three behind Portugal who were already sure of qualification for the last eight having won all four of their previous group fixtures.
A draw against third-placed Norway on Tuesday, 3-1 winners over Wales earlier, will see Denmark through.
Ahead of kick-off Portugal paid tribute to Ronaldo, who announced his exit from the international game last week, with the team and mascots walking out wearing Ronaldo’s number seven and his name on their jerseys.
Fans held up a huge banner which read “Thank you captain” as the teams entered the field, while applause rolled around the stadium once the match clock hit seven.
Denmark were the better team from the first minute, and it was no surprise when the away team went in at the break thanks to Pierre-Emile’s Hojbjerg’s spot-kick in the 43rd minute.
Hojlund lashed home a brilliant volley four minutes after the restart and seven minutes later left the home crowd shellshocked with a strike of which Ronaldo would have been proud, the Napoli striker skipping past Rúben Dias before crashing home a powerful shot from the edge of the area.
Boos and whistles began to ring out at the Estadio Municipal when Joachim Andersen headed in the fourth, and Bernardo Silva’s late consolation effort barely dampened the discontent.
***
Northern Ireland 1-0 Ukraine
Terry Devlin’s first international goal kept Northern Ireland top of their Nations League group as a 1-0 win over Ukraine set up a promotion decider away to Hungary on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Devlin has been in the goals for Portsmouth this term with four, and opened his Northern Ireland account with a fine strike in the 68th minute as he left Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin flat-footed with a shot from distance.
Pierce Charles then made a superb save to deny Danylo Sikan at the death and preserve Northern Ireland’s fifth straight clean sheet – the first time they have achieved that since 2017 – and ensure they remain the only side in the competition yet to concede.
The three points put Northern Ireland back on top of Group B2 after Hungary’s 2-0 win over Georgia earlier in the afternoon, and ruled Ukraine out of contention as they lost three straight matches for the first time in six years.
A draw in Budapest would be enough to elevate Michael O’Neill’s young side to League A, while even in defeat they would face a play-off in March, and they have also earned a pot two place in next month’s Euro 2028 draw.
However, O’Neill will need to watch Tuesday’s match from the stands as he joined Jamie Donley – who had a first-half strike ruled out for offside – in earning a late yellow card that results in a suspension.
- Additional reporting by AFP
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