Denmark concluded a difficult week with a positive on Sunday night as they got past Wales 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League at Ceres Park.
After reaching a temporary agreement with the Danish FA following disruption throughout the international break, Åge Hareide’s were back at full strength and it did not take long for one of his key player’s to have an impact as Christian Eriksen opened the scoring with a clinical finish inside the penalty area. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder secured the win in the second-half as he got a second from the penalty spot after Ethan Ampadu was penalised for handball.
Fast Wales start
Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey had the first sight of goal with an effort from the edge of the area but the ball whistled harmlessly over Kasper Schmeichel’s crossbar. The Danish stopper was then forced into a solid stop as Ampadu’s shot was looped up and deflected to Connor Roberts but his low effort was blocked.
Arguably one of the best chances of the first-half fell to Tom Lawrence. Joe Allen managed to feed Roberts down the right flank and he attempted to pick out the Derby County forward. He attempted an audacious flick but could not quite make contact with the ball.
Bale lets Denmark off the hook
Thomas Delaney then had a spectacular try of his own as he attempted a stunning volley from a corner but the ball whipped marginally wide of the post.
Surprisingly, Gareth Bale was then the next to pass up the opportunity to open the scoring. Captaining his country, the Real Madrid star picked up the ball deep in the Denmark half and ran at Simon Kjær. Tearing into the penalty area, he shifted the ball onto his left foot but fizzed his low effort wide of the post.
Eriksen shows goal-scoring prowess again
Supporters did not have to wait much longer for the net to bulge but it was the hosts that struck first. Lasse Schöne picked out Yussuf Poulsen on the right wing. Afforded plenty of time, the RB Leipzig man fed the unmarked Eriksen who took one touch to control and spin to then bury his low shot into the bottom corner via the post with his second.
The hosts could have doubled the lead as Wayne Hennessey produced a stunning stop to deny Pione Sisto. The ball was deflected to the forward on the edge of the area and he unleashed a thunderous effort that was somehow clawed away from the top corner by the Welsh stopper to keep the deficit at one going into the break.
Outstretched arm costs Ampadu
Ryan Giggs’ men were almost the architects of their own downfall in the second half. Martin Braithwaite nipped ahead of Chris Mepham in the penalty area but could only put his shot into the side-netting.
The Danes did get their second though and it came from the penalty spot. Viktor Fischer, who was introduced at the break, crossed into the area, with the ball cannoning off of the arm of Ampadu. Eriksen stepped up and smashed the ball past Hennessey to notch his second of the game.
Chances in the closing stages
Giggs’ men might have pulled a goal back as Joe Allen charged into the penalty area only to balloon his shot high over the crossbar. Braithwaite should have wrapped up victory but his low shot dribbled just wide of the post as he tried to place it into the bottom corner.
Chances continued to be created in the closing stages. Delaney again got free from a corner in the closing stages but Hennessey got back along his line well to deny the midfielder from close range at the back post. The missed chance mattered not though as the hosts held out for a relatively comfortable victory.
Final Thoughts
The Danes will be absolutely delighted that they were able to get past Wales after a hugely testing period. They looked extremely motivated against Wales and looked terrific going forwards. Hareide’s men were also well-marshalled in defence and for the most part silenced Bale.
Meanwhile, Giggs will be slightly disappointed that his side was not able to open up their visitors more after a relatively promising start and such an emphatic win over the Republic of Ireland in the week.
Match Report
Denmark: Schmeichel (7); Stryger (7), Jorgensen (7), Kjaer (6), Dalsgaard (6); Sisto (7) (Fischer (7), 45′), Schone (6), Delaney (7), Poulsen (7) (Cornelius (N/A), 86′); Eriksen (8), Braithwaite (6).
Wales: Hennessey (6); Davies (6), Mepham (6), Chester (7), Gunter (6); Ampadu (6) (T. Roberts (6), 72′), Allen (6), Ramsey (6); C. Roberts (6) (Brooks (6), 59′), Lawrence (6) (Woodburn (N/A), 79′), Bale (6).
Goals: Eriksen (32′, PEN 63′)
Referee: Deniz Aytekin
Yellow Cards: Davies (76′), Schmeichel (90+1′), Allen (90+3′)
Red Cards: N/A
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