Wales Women 1-5 Denmark: Harder hat-trick condemns hapless hosts to crushing Nations League defeat

Wales remain without a win in the UEFA Women's Nations League after succumbing to a crushing 5-1 defeat at home to Denmark at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Penille Harder's first-half double, her first coming from the spot, put the visitors in firm control of proceedings in the capital, before Jess Fishlock's stunner hauled Wales back into the game.

But goals from Frederikke Thogersen, Sanne Troelsgaard, and a third from Harder, ultimately sealed the points for Denmark, who are now top of the group in League A.

Wales, however, remain without a point following their opening two outings, with tough trips to tonight's opponents and Germany, who beat Iceland 4-0 earlier in the day, to come.

This was always going to be a stern test for Gemma Grainger's side, against a Danish side that had recently reached the last 16 of the World Cup.

It didn't take long for the scale of the task to become clear. Indeed, Wales were behind after just five minutes in the capital.

Ceri Holland sliced her clearance from Sofie Svava's corner, and Rhiannon Roberts then collided with Amalie Vansgaard inside the box.

Referee Stephanie Frappart had little hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Harder made no mistake in slotting home.

A poor start. But Welsh worries were to deepen just six minutes later. Josefine Hasbo did well to poke a pass through three Wales bodies for Thogersen, and her low cross found Harder unmarked and with all the time in the world to pick her spot.

Two goals down, and if anything the scoreline flattered Wales such was Denmark's early dominance. Harder should have had her hat-trick just before the break, but somehow conspired to curl just wide following a marvellous piece of skill from Vangsgaard out on the right.

Wales simply had