Wales suffered a 1-0 defeat to Denmark in the Nations League, a result that leaves them needing points from their final two games to avoid bottom place in Group A4. The only goal came from a 75th-minute penalty by Rasmus Hojlund at Cardiff City Stadium.
Goalkeeper Danny Ward had kept Wales level with several important saves, including tipping a Gustav Isaksen header onto the post. The decisive moment arrived when Ward gave away possession and then brought down Isaksen inside his own penalty area, conceding the spot-kick that Hojlund converted.
Squad stretched thin
Wales were already dealing with a lengthy injury list, missing first-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow and defenders Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor for the entire camp. David Brooks withdrew after the opening loss to Portugal, and Dan James was not fit to feature against Denmark. Ben Davies was also withdrawn late in the match, with manager Craig Bellamy later admitting the defender should have been rested.
Bellamy was scathing in his criticism of the new four-game international window, which saw Wales play three times in ten days. "Physically, I completely agree with the ones who don't like it," Bellamy said. "It makes no sense."
He argued the schedule disproportionately benefits nations with larger player pools. "I was one of the ones who wasn't voting for it, because we know it's a complete disadvantage to us," Bellamy explained. "If we have a few injuries, which we had more than one or two, they miss four games. We can deal with two."
Group picture
The loss was Wales' third in four games this window, though they remain third in the group due to a superior head-to-head record over Norway, who lost 2-1 to Portugal. Wales must now travel to face Norway in Oslo next month before hosting group leaders Portugal three days later. Avoiding bottom place is vital for their hopes of securing a favourable seeding in the draw for Euro 2028 qualification.
For Crusaders FC supporters following the home nations, the focus now returns to domestic action. The Crues, sitting 5th in the Premiership with 15 points from 10 games, face a tough test at home against third-placed Larne on Saturday, 10 October.
