Women's Nations League: Wales hold Germany as Republic of Ireland thrash Northern Ireland
Wales hold two-time World Cup winners Germany to a goalless draw to earn their first Nations League points; Northern Ireland's hopes of promotion to League A dashed in thrashing by the Republic of Ireland; Spain also beat Sweden 5-3, while Iceland beat Denmark
Tuesday 5 December 2023 23:19, UK
Wales earned their first Women’s Nations League point in their concluding group match as they held Germany to a goalless draw in Swansea.
Gemma Grainger's side, already confirmed as relegated from Group A3, put in a highly commendable performance as they kept their two-time world champion opponents at bay and almost took the lead early on, with Rachel Rowe hitting a post.
While Wales end a losing run that had stretched to six matches in total, including July's friendly loss to the United States, the point for Germany was enough to take them through to the Nations League finals — and potential Paris Olympics qualification — with second-placed Denmark having been beaten 1-0 at home by Iceland.
A lively start by the hosts saw Elise Hughes opt to pass rather than shoot from a good position in the seventh minute, with Kathrin Hendrich making a block.
The resulting corner came to Sophie Ingle, the skipper's volley was saved by Merle Frohms and the ball was then in the net as Gemma Evans followed up, but the effort was disallowed for a foul with her having knocked the ball out of the goalkeeper's hands.
Wales then threatened again just past the quarter-hour mark as Rowe saw her low shot from the edge of the box hit a post.
Germany, struggling for momentum, registered an effort when Sjoeke Nusken's shot was dealt with by Olivia Clark, before visiting captain Alexandra Popp was on hand to get in the way of another attempt by Ingle.
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