Switzerland won the World Cup play-off final in the dying seconds of extra time to deny Wales a place in the tournament.
Rhiannon Roberts gave Wales the lead.
Ana- Maria missed a penalty and then converted the rebound, but that was not allowed.
Fabienne Humm won it at the end after a goal was ruled out.
With a penalty shootout looming, Humm's delicate near post finish meant a painful conclusion to a fine campaign for Wales.
They were left licking their wounds after a hard fought rearguard effort counted for nothing.
Wales finished second in Group I, behind runaway winners France, and beat Bosnia-Herzgovina in last week's play-off semi-finals to reach the final.
Switzerland were the better team in the play-off final and Wales could not complain about their defeat.
Switzerland were made to work for their victory against Wales, who are ranked 30th in the world, despite being nine places below their hosts.
The Swiss went to last summer's European Championship, their third major tournament in the last seven years, while Wales have never previously made it as far as the play-off stage.
In the end, Wales got the better of Bosnia-Herzegovina thanks to Jess Fishlock's extra-time goal, and there was no reason to change the team.
Switzerland asked questions of a Welsh defence which had not been broken by France in April.
There was a scare when a half-cleared set-piece dropped to Viola Calligaris 25 yards from goal.
Kayleigh Green was able to head the ball into Roberts' path because Angharad James' corner wasn't dealt with by the Swiss defense.
The task was simple, as she rolled the ball past Gaelle Thalmann.
Wales were in dreamland, their pockets of fans at Stadion Letzigrund felt something special was on the way as the team defended their lead.
The mood changed just before the break when Lia Walti spotted a gap in the Welsh rearguard and rolled a perfect pass down the right flank for her team-mates.
Her shot went past O' Sullivan and into the net.
Switzerland thought they were in front after a penalty was given against Rachel Rowe.
Rowe appeared to have dealt with Eseosa Aigbogun's cross only for the Swedish referee to give the spot-kick.
The penalty was fired against the base of the post by the Barcelona player.
The goal was ruled out by Olofsson because no one had touched the ball between the two attempts.
Wales didn't have to worry.
Fishlock was able to find Green in the area, but her effort looped over.
Then, six minutes from the end of normal time, came the second intervention.
She thought she had scored her second when she turned sharply in the area and found the far corner, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside.
Wales wriggled off the hook for a second time.
As Switzerland dominated the additional period, Wales had to dig deeper into the reserves.
Rachel Rinast volleyed the wrong side of the post after Bachmann danced around a couple of challenges and shot too close to O' Sullivan.
Xhemaili had a chance to win the game when she headed the ball off the line.
The contest seemed destined to be decided by a shootout, but Switzerland came up with a last chance.
The game was decided when Reuteler crossed for Humm on the left side.
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