Denmark bounced back from Thursday’s defeat in Oslo with a controlled 2-0 Nations League win over Wales at Parken, sealed by a Ben Davies own goal and a Gustav Isaksen strike after the break. Craig Bellamy’s side remain without a point or a goal after two League A Group 4 matches.
Match facts
- Result: Denmark 2-0 Wales (half-time 0-0)
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group 4, Matchday 2
- Venue: Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
- Scorers: Denmark - Davies 53' (og), Isaksen 66'; Wales - none
- Red cards: None
- Attendance: 34,588
- Next: Denmark v Portugal, Thursday 1 October; Wales v Norway, Thursday 1 October
How the match unfolded
Brian Riemer made only one change from the Norway defeat, bringing Isaksen into the side, while Bellamy rotated heavily with six changes after the 1-0 loss in Lisbon. Denmark controlled the early stages through Mikkel Damsgaard and Patrick Dorgu, and Isaksen dragged an early effort wide.
In the 24th minute Denmark thought they had broken through. A sharp counter ended with Isaksen volleying home, only for VAR to rule it out for an offside against Rasmus Højlund in the build-up. Moments later Damsgaard struck the post from the edge of the box. Dorgu then left injured on the half-hour and was replaced by Mohamed Daramy.
Wales grew into the half. Sorba Thomas curled narrowly wide in the 33rd minute, Brennan Johnson wasted a free-kick, and Connor Roberts forced Filip Jørgensen into a fine save before the interval. Joakim Mæhle was booked in the 35th minute for a foul on Dan James.
After the restart Neco Williams forced another save, but Denmark regained control. In the 53rd minute Damsgaard whipped in a free-kick from the right; as Davies challenged Højlund, the ball came off the Wales captain and into his own net. Daramy then missed a simple chance at the back post.
The second goal arrived in the 66th minute from another Damsgaard free-kick. Wales failed to clear, and Isaksen finished past Danny Ward — the goal standing after a VAR check, according to BBC Sport’s match coverage. Roberts and Williams created further openings for Wales, while Højlund had a late finish chalked off for offside as Denmark saw the game out.
What it means for Group 4
Denmark move on to three points from two games, level with Norway and Portugal on the early Group 4 table after those sides’ opening wins, and ease the pressure that followed the Oslo setback. Wales sit bottom with no points and no goals after two matches, still searching for a first League A win of the campaign.
Ampadu told BBC Sport Wales afterwards that Wales “didn’t really reach our levels” and admitted they were punished from set pieces they pride themselves on defending. Davies called it a tough night against a good team and said Wales must regroup for Thursday.
What happens next
Denmark host Portugal at a sold-out Parken on Thursday 1 October, then travel to Cardiff to face Wales again on Sunday 4 October. Wales return home to face Norway on Thursday before that rematch with Denmark. Related BetAlert coverage: João Félix edges Portugal past Wales on Jorge Jesus’s Nations League debut and Haaland brace helps Norway past Denmark in Oslo.