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Wales' hopes of reaching a first major finals suffered a blow as a 1-0 defeat by Norway took qualification out of their hands in the Welsh capital.
A superb rearguard action saw Wales go into the break level at 0-0, but Frida Maanum's firm finish from 20 yards broke the deadlock just past the hour.
Wales showed great fight after the goal and pushed hard for an equaliser with Jess Fishlock shooting just wide.
Wales also had two late penalty appeals waved away on a frustrating evening.
Wales' defeat, while coming after another good display, means Northern Ireland now hold an advantage over them in the race to finish second in Group C, despite losing 6-0 twice to Norway, compared to two 1-0 losses for Wales.
Northern Ireland's 1-0 win in Belarus, coupled with a 0-0 home draw with Wales and a 2-2 draw in Newport, gives Northern Ireland the edge over Jayne Ludlow's side in the event they finish the group level on points, with Northern Ireland edging the head-to-head record on away goals.
For Norway, the win means qualification is now secure.
Ludlow produced a major surprise with her team line-up far more attacking than many would have expected with Kayleigh Green and Helen Ward both starting in attack, ahead of a midfield including both Jess Fishlock and Natasha Harding.
However, the biggest shock was in defence where Elise Hughes started after months on the sidelines after knee surgery in a real baptism of fire against a prolific Norwegian attack.
Norway had scored 33 goals in five qualifying games heading into this one, though they only scored once in Oslo against a stubborn Wales and even that goal came from a goalkeeping mistake by Laura O'Sullivan.
There could be no room for errors if Wales were going to get a positive result and O'Sullivan enjoyed a start to the contest to really boost her confidence. She foiled Elise Thorsnes three times inside the opening 10 minutes, including an excellent diving stop from a firm header.
Possession and a respite from defending with a bank of five players with three midfielders compact in front of them was a rarity for Wales, though Jess Fishlock did have Cecilie Fiskerstrand scrambling in the Norway goal with a fierce 25-yard drive that just missed the upright.
Norway again tested O'Sullivan from Julie Blakstad's mishit cross before Blakstad blazed a good chance over the crossbar from close range on 34 minutes.
However, tactically it was a dream first half for Wales, who frustrated a Norwegian side that instantly got back on the front foot after the interval with Karina Saevik testing O'Sullivan from close range before Ingrid Wold fired over just before the hour mark.
It was moments later that Wales were finally breached and they'll be disappointed to have contributed to their own downfall with Kayleigh Green overrunning the ball and Hughes unable to make the interception as Thorsnes shielded the ball and Maanum fired home from 20-yards.
Blakstad fired wide as Norway looked to make the game safe, but Wales finished strongly with chances of their own as they pushed and pushed to equalise.
Fishlock came closest, firing just wide through a crowded box while Wales saw two penalty appeals waved away by referee Irina Mirt.
