Wales discovered just how unforgiving life among Europe’s stronger nations can be as Denmark claimed a 2-0 victory in Copenhagen. This A group fixture with Wales in with the best sides in Europe is proving to be a challenge

After the narrow 1-0 loss in Portugal there were positives for Craig Bellamy to take away despite the result. This was different. Denmark dictated lengthy periods of the contest and Wales struggled to establish themselves sufficiently with the ball to change the direction of the game. A Ben Davies own goal shortly after half-time finally broke Welsh resistance before Gustav Isaksen added the second midway through the second period.

For Wales it leaves a difficult opening to their Nations League campaign: two away games, two defeats and no goals. That doesn’t tell the whole story, but Copenhagen provided plenty for Bellamy and his staff to consider. Bellamy freshened his side considerably following the demanding encounter with Portugal, making six changes to his starting eleven. Charlie Savage was given an opportunity in midfield, while Connor Roberts, Chris Mepham, Sorba Thomas (below) Dan James and Kieffer Moore were among those brought into the team.

The intention may have been to inject fresh energy into the side, but Denmark quickly established control. Wales spent too much of the first half reacting to what was happening rather than determining it themselves. When possession was recovered, the opportunity to relieve the pressure frequently disappeared through a misplaced pass or an inability to retain the ball for long enough.

That invited Denmark back on to them.

The home side moved Wales around the pitch and increasingly found areas from which they could threaten Danny Ward’s goal. Gustav Isaksen even had the ball in the net during the opening period before Wales were spared and the effort was ruled out. Reaching half-time goalless therefore represented something of an escape.

It also presented Wales with an opportunity. They had survived Denmark’s strongest periods and were still very much in the contest. At 0-0, one moment could have completely altered the evening. Instead, that moment belonged to Denmark. Eight minutes into the second half Wales’ resistance was broken. Mikkel Damsgaard delivered the danger into the Welsh penalty area and, with Rasmus Højlund applying pressure, captain Ben Davies was unable to prevent the ball ending up in his own net. It was desperately unfortunate for Davies, but difficult to argue that Denmark hadn’t earned the breakthrough.

The more important question was how Wales would respond. Bellamy attempted to change the balance of his midfield, with Josh Sheehan replacing the ineffective Savage around the hour mark. Before Wales could build any meaningful momentum, however, Denmark struck again. Damsgaard was involved once more and Isaksen, who had caused Wales problems throughout the evening, finally got the goal that had escaped him before the breakthrough. His effort took a deflection on its way beyond Ward and, at 2-0, Wales suddenly faced a considerable task. Further changes followed, with Lewis Koumas and Jordan James introduced, but there was no sustained Welsh response capable of putting the hosts under serious pressure.

Chances were created, Moore and Roberts came close but the finishing was lame.

Denmark saw the game through and Wales were left reflecting on an evening when they simply hadn’t produced enough in possession. The step up is becoming clear There needs to be some perspective around these opening results. Wales have travelled to Portugal and Denmark in successive fixtures. These are precisely the sort of assignments that come with competing at the highest Nations League level. Now they are discovering the standards required to remain here. The encouraging element in Portugal was that Wales remained capable of hurting their opponents and stayed in the contest until the end. There was a belief that something might still be salvaged.

Copenhagen never really developed in the same way. Denmark were able to establish control and Wales couldn’t consistently keep possession long enough to force them backwards. That distinction matters.

Bellamy has spent much of his tenure encouraging Wales to be brave with the football. The objective isn’t simply to defend deeper, survive and hope for a counterattack. His Wales want to play. On this occasion they weren’t able to do that often enough. Ethan Ampadu’s assessment afterwards reflected that frustration. Wales, he acknowledged, hadn’t reached the standards they expect from themselves, particularly when they regained possession. The nature of the goals will also irritate the Welsh coaching staff. Situations developing from set plays are normally something Wales work hard to control. Those details become increasingly important at this level.

Bellamy : "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. This team will get better, these players will keep improving. There are young ones coming in well after I'm gone. For me now it's just focus, two more games to go. How can I help you improve for the next two games but also how can I improve? I'm probably more loving when I'm losing, I'm probably more of a pain in the backside when I'm winning."

Two defeats shouldn’t trigger a rethink of everything Bellamy is trying to build. They should, however, provide information.Portugal demonstrated that Wales can compete away against one of Europe’s strongest sides. Denmark demonstrated what happens when Wales cannot impose enough of their own football on the opposition.

That’s the lesson from Copenhagen. The next stage is finding a way of maintaining Bellamy’s attacking principles while becoming more secure when opponents take control.

There is also an obvious statistic Wales need to change.Two games. No points. No goals. The return to Cardiff now becomes particularly important. Norway are next and Wales will want far more than another performance containing encouraging passages of football. They need something tangible. League A was always going to test this Welsh side far more severely than the previous Nations League campaign. That’s exactly why Wales wanted promotion.

Copenhagen showed them just how demanding the next stage is going to be.

Denmark 2 Wales 0
Goals: Ben Davies (own goal) 53, Gustav Isaksen 66.

⚽️ Wales: Ward 6 Robert 6 Mepham 4 B Davies (c) 6 N Williams 5 Johnson 5 Savage 5 Ampadu 5 Thomas 6 Moore 5 D James 6

⚽️ Indy assessment
The Portugal defeat offered encouragement despite the result. This one offered a lesson. Wales were asked to spend too much time without the ball and, crucially, didn’t use it well enough when they finally got it back. That prevented Bellamy’s side from establishing the attacking rhythm which has become such an important part of his approach. There is no need to panic after difficult trips to Portugal and Denmark. But there is plenty to improve. And Norway now represents the opportunity to show that the lessons of Copenhagen have been learned.

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