Denmark sink pointless Wales in Copenhagen as Davies own goal and Isaksen strike leave Bellamy 'really hurting'
Wales wilted in Copenhagen on Sunday as a 2-0 defeat to Denmark left them bottom of their Nations League group with no points and no goals from their opening two fixtures — a start that left manager Craig Bellamy admitting he was "really hurting".
After a first half in which Wales were very much second-best and fortunate to reach the break level, Denmark's domination was eventually rewarded by a Ben Davies own goal and a Gustav Isaksen strike in the second period. Having lost Thursday's opener to Portugal 1-0, Wales now face an uphill battle to avoid relegation from Group A4, with Erling Haaland's Norway visiting on Thursday before a return date against Denmark in Cardiff.
Bellamy: 'I'm really hurting'
"I'm really hurting. When you see an athletic team run over you a little bit … but then, will we improve? I think we will," said Bellamy, whose happy memories of Parken Stadium include scoring the Wales winner there as a 19-year-old in a Euro 2000 qualifier. "This team will get better, these players will keep improving. For me now it's just focus, two more games to go."
Bellamy had promised changes given the short turnaround between fixtures and made six, with Charlie Savage's surprise promotion the most notable switch. The son of former Wales international Robbie Savage joined the squad after several withdrawals, with his previous two caps having both come against Gibraltar. Daniel James, Kieffer Moore and Sorba Thomas formed a reshaped frontline, while Chris Mepham and Connor Roberts were drafted into defence.
Denmark dominant, VAR denies Højlund
Denmark were soon playing their way through a porous Wales midfield, and chances came their way early. Neco Williams was caught out by Joachim Andersen's pass from the back and Isaksen flashed his shot wide, before the Lazio winger sent over a cross that Patrick Dorgu headed off target.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead after 24 minutes. Wales were exposed by a counterattack led by Mikkel Damsgaard and Isaksen met Rasmus Højlund's cross with a thumping volley, only for VAR to rule offside in the buildup. Damsgaard struck a post seconds later, and it looked a matter of time before Denmark would score.
But Dorgu headed straight down the tunnel in a potential injury blow for Manchester United, and Wales began to create chances of their own. Thomas was just off target from 20 yards after an Andersen error, and Wales went even closer two minutes before the interval: Brennan Johnson got to the byline after working a one-two with Thomas and pulled the ball back to Roberts, whose shot under pressure was tipped away from close range by Filip Jörgensen.
Own goal and Isaksen seal it
Williams fired straight at Jörgensen at the start of the second half, but Wales were behind after 53 minutes from a free-kick. Damsgaard delivered a delicious ball and, while Højlund wheeled away celebrating the final touch, it ultimately went in off the unfortunate Davies for an own goal.
Isaksen put the contest beyond Wales after 66 minutes. Moore headed off the Wales goalline, but Isaksen was quickest on to the loose ball and his deflected strike went in off the underside of the bar. Mohamed Daramy spurned a great chance to add further Danish gloss, and both sides had late efforts ruled out — Williams's header disallowed for a push by Ethan Ampadu.
'The best team won overall'
Denmark, who were under similar pressure after being beaten 3-2 by Norway on Thursday, rose to the occasion and should have won more comfortably.
"I said to the players before the game, 'this is going to be tougher than Portugal'," Bellamy added. "It was a different challenge, but a very difficult one. The best team won overall. As disappointed as I am with that, the result I probably think was fair. We move on. It will be a tough watch back. How the players put their bodies on the line was brilliant. They are really special for that. I really admire that, but I want more."