Figure caption,

Highlights: Denmark 2-0 Wales

ByIan Mitchelmore
BBC Sport WalesAtParken Stadium, Copenhagen

Wales remain bottom of their Nations League A group following a defeat by Denmark in Copenhagen that also leaves Craig Bellamy's side without a victory in 2026.

Spurs defender Ben Davies was unfortunate to turn Mikkel Damsgaard's cross into his own net early on in the second half at Parken Stadium.

Gustav Isaksen - who had a goal disallowed in the first half - added Denmark's second 13 minutes later as his side earned their first victory of the campaign.

Wales, winless in six games this year, sit fourth in the standings without a point from their opening two matches before a home double-header against Norway and the Danes next week.

The hosts claimed their first triumph since March to bolster their hopes of challenging for top spot in Group 4.

A Wales side showing six changes from the 1-0 loss to Portugal three days earlier were unable to lay a glove on their dominant hosts in the opening half an hour.

After Isaksen and Patrick Dorgu were both off target with half chances, Brian Riemer's side thought they had gone ahead.

Damsgaard picked out Rasmus Hojlund, whose cross was superbly met by Isaksen's volley from 12 yards out, although the video assistant referee (VAR) disallowed the effort for an offside in the build-up.

Damsgaard drilled against the post from the edge of the visitors' 18-yard box just a minute later as their goal continued to live a charmed life.

It took until the 33rd minute for Wales to show anything in attack as Sorba Thomas' curling effort flew just wide.

Brennan Johnson was then wasteful with a free-kick before Connor Roberts was well denied by Filip Jorgensen from close range as Wales improved.

Neco Williams' deflected strike was comfortably dealt with shortly after the restart as Wales looked to build on their encouraging end to the first half.

But the deadlock was broken after 53 minutes when Damsgaard's fizzing free-kick took a deflection off captain Davies and went beyond goalkeeper Danny Ward.

Thomas' curling cross flew agonisingly wide of Jorgensen's back post almost immediately.

Moments later, though, Mohamed Daramy spurned a golden chance before the hosts did manage to double their lead.

Kieffer Moore cleared off his own line, only for Isaksen's deflected follow-up effort to loop into the net - with the goal being awarded following a VAR review.

Roberts fired straight at Jorgensen as Hojlund had a late goal disallowed for offside.

The damage had long been done as Denmark eased the pressure on boss Riemer, while ensuring Bellamy's wait for a victory over a team ranked above Wales goes on.

Neco Williams looks dejected during Wales' defeat to DenmarkImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Wales are winless across eight Nations League A matches

Analysis: Wasteful Wales exposed to League A's ruthlessness

For the opening third of the game, Wales - now without a clean sheet in seven games - looked in for a pretty brutal night.

But they showed sufficient defensive nous and also had some fortune in their favour to ensure they remained in the match.

As was the case in Portugal three days earlier, Wales were second best but had their chances to take something from the contest.

Again, as they did in Lisbon, they failed to show the required clinical edge in the Danish capital, and they were emphatically punished as a result.

Wales will seek to find some home comforts over the remainder of the current international window, following an immensely testing away double header.

They are having to learn lessons the hard way and find themselves without a Nations League A victory in eight attempts.

Unless improvements are made swiftly and squad options improve, they could well be back in League B in the blink of an eye.

Player of the match

Number: 14 M. Damsgaard
Average rating 6.76
Number: 14 M. Damsgaard
Average Rating: 6.76
Number: 9 R. Højlund
Average Rating: 6.48
Number: 13 R. Kristensen
Average Rating: 6.33
Number: 8 G. Isaksen
Average Rating: 6.28
Number: 23 P. Højbjerg
Average Rating: 6.17
Number: 5 J. Mæhle
Average Rating: 6.13
Number: 3 O. Provstgaard
Average Rating: 6.10
Number: 17 P. Dorgu
Average Rating: 6.07
Number: 2 J. Andersen
Average Rating: 6.00
Number: 21 M. Hjulmand
Average Rating: 5.74
Number: 19 K. Høgh
Average Rating: 5.69
Number: 22 F. Jörgensen
Average Rating: 5.62
Number: 20 M. Daramy
Average Rating: 5.61
Number: 11 A. Daghim
Average Rating: 5.47
Number: 7 V. Froholdt
Average Rating: 5.38

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.