Denmark v Wales: Six talking points from latest Nations League setback
Defeat in Copenhagen for Wales. (Image: Lewis Mitchell)
Wales are bottom of Nations League A, Group D after suffering a second successive defeat, with Denmark securing a 2-0 victory in Copenhagen.
Craig Bellamy’s side had started brightly and showed plenty of the ambition that saw them come so close to taking something from Portugal a few days earlier.
But a much stronger second-half display from the hosts ultimately proved decisive, with an own goal from Ben Davies and a strike from Gustav Isaksen leaving Wales empty-handed once again.
Wales are going through a difficult phase at the minute, with injuries continuing to limit their options and results proving hard to come by. They will need to find inspiration from somewhere as they look to turn things around in their remaining Nations League fixtures.
Here are the main talking points from the defeat in Copenhagen.
Denmark denied by fine margins as Wales survive early scare
It was almost deja vu for Wales as Denmark appeared to take an early lead.
A dangerous cross from Rasmus Højlund found Isaksen inside the area, with the Lazio forward producing a clinical volley which appeared destined for the back of the net.
However, the linesman quickly raised his flag for offside, with the decision coming down to the tightest of margins.
Wales were given another major warning just moments later when Mikkel Damsgaard picked up possession on the edge of the box.
The Brentford midfielder unleashed a powerful effort which crashed against the left post, with Damsgaard already beginning to wheel away in celebration before the woodwork came to Wales’ rescue.
What could easily have been a 2-0 lead for Denmark had instead turned into a frustrating spell for the hosts.
There was further disruption when Denmark’s Patrick Dorgu was forced off with an injury.
Wales survived the pressure and gradually grew into the contest, but the opening exchanges showed just how dangerous Denmark could be.
Read more: Portugal vs Wales: Talking points from Wales’ narrow Nations League defeat
Wales match Denmark’s physicality before half-time
With the importance of the Nations League group already clear, the tempo increased as the first half progressed.
The tackles became more committed, and Wales showed a willingness to match Denmark physically.
Danish full-back Joakim Mæhle was one of the first to get involved, stopping Dan James with a strong challenge on the edge of the hosts’ penalty area after struggling to deal with the Wales winger’s pace.
Brennan Johnson stepped up to take the resulting free-kick, although his effort sailed wide.
James and his Wales teammates responded by becoming increasingly aggressive in their approach, seemingly determined not to allow Denmark to dictate the physical battle.
There were seven fouls during the opening 45 minutes, although only one yellow card was shown.
Wales had competed well, but they knew they needed to turn that energy into chances after the break.
Højlund pressure finally gives Denmark the breakthrough
The physical approach adopted by Wales late in the first half would ultimately count against them soon after the restart.
A foul just outside the Wales penalty area gave Denmark a dangerous free-kick, and the hosts made the opportunity count.
Damsgaard delivered a dangerous ball into the box, with Højlund getting in amongst the Wales defence.
The Manchester United striker appeared to get the final touch initially, but the ball ultimately found its way into the net via Davies.
It was an unfortunate moment for the Wales captain, but it gave Denmark the lead they had been threatening to find.
Højlund may have endured a difficult period at club level, but his ability to cause problems for defenders was evident throughout the contest.
Wales did not completely unravel after going behind and continued to look for a response. However, they desperately needed to find the next goal.
Isaksen gets his reward as Wales are left bottom of the group
Denmark soon delivered another blow.
After a period of pressure and some pinball inside the Wales penalty area, the ball broke perfectly for Isaksen around the penalty spot.
Having already been denied by an offside decision in the first half, the Denmark forward made no mistake this time.
He finished clinically to double the hosts’ advantage and put Wales in a difficult position.
Isaksen had caused Neco Williams problems for much of the game, although this time the opportunity arrived centrally rather than down the right.
Bellamy responded with a triple substitution in an attempt to change the course of the match, but Denmark were able to see out the remainder of the contest.
The defeat leaves Wales at the bottom of Nations League A, Group D after two matches.
Bellamy’s 4-4-2 experiment shows both promise and problems
Bellamy once again opted for a more traditional 4-4-2 formation, much like Portugal had done against Wales in their previous match.
The intention appeared to be to make use of the pace available out wide while retaining a target man in Kieffer Moore.
Johnson was also able to drop deeper and help link play, giving Wales another route through the middle of the pitch.
The shape offered a more compact midfield and provided some stability for a backline that had undergone six changes from the previous match.
But there were moments when the players appeared uncomfortable in their roles, and Wales struggled to make the most of the opportunities they created.
Injuries continue to limit Wales but ambition remains
The context surrounding these Nations League fixtures remains important.
Bellamy is still without a significant number of players who would normally form part of his core squad, while further injuries have complicated his plans following the Portugal match.
Despite that, Wales have not appeared overly cautious.
Instead, Bellamy has continued to ask his players to be ambitious, creative and positive despite the absences.
That approach has brought encouraging passages of play, even if the results have not followed.
The challenge now is turning those positive moments into goals and points, with Wales needing a response in their next Nations League fixture after two defeats from two.
