Wales wilted in Copenhagen as a 2-0 defeat to Denmark left them bottom of their Nations League group.
Both of Denmark’s goals came from set pieces delivered by Brentford midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard with Ben Davies turning into his own net shortly after the break before Gustav Iskasen’s deflected strike put the game beyond doubt.
Wales were second best throughout and could have been behind in the first half with Damsgaard striking the post from range moments after Isaksen had a volley ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside from Rasmus Hojlund in the build-up.
Craig Bellamy’s depleted side battled to a 1-0 defeat against Portugal in Lisbon on Thursday but they were utterly outclassed by Denmark in Copenhagen in a result that paints a bleak picture for their hopes in Nations League Group A4.
Wales have failed to register a single goal or point in their first two games and they face an uphill battle if they are to avoid relegation from this group.
Denmark were under similar pressure after being beaten by Norway on Thursday, and there was turmoil in the camp after captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg openly questioned the team’s tactics, but they rose to the occasion and could easily have won more comfortably.
The only negative for Denmark was an injury to Manchester United’s Patrick Dorgu, who was forced off after 30 minutes and headed straight down the tunnel.
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Wales have no let up as they face Norway and Erling Haaland on Thursday in their third Nations League match. Norway play Portugal later on Sunday before that match.
Key moments from Copenhagen
24: DENMARK GOAL RULED OUT BY VAR! Isaksen’s volley is chalked off for a marginal offside on Hojlund.
27: OFF THE POST! Damsgaard rattles a shot off the frame of the goal for Denmark.
30: INJURY! Dorgu forced off with an apparent injury problem.
43: VITAL SAVE! Filip Jorgensen produces a big hand to keep out Connor Roberts’ close-range effort.
53: GOAL! Denmark lead through a Davies own-goal after Damsgaard’s free-kick.
66: GOAL! Denmark double their lead through Isaksen’s deflected strike at another set piece.
Bellamy: That is going to be a tough watch back
Wales boss Craig Bellamy to BBC Sport:
“It was tough. We didn’t look after the ball well enough and it became backs against the wall.
“Denmark deserved it, they were the better team. Not nice to concede from two set pieces, but the best team won.
“There is so much we need to improve on. You need these games to be able to do it.
“Move on. It is going to be a tough watch back.”
Ampadu: Disappointing night for Wales
Wales midfielder Ethan Ampadu to BBC Sport:
“Disappointing night for us. Always going to be difficult against a top team away from home. But we didn’t really put in our levels. We gave everything we could.
“We could have been tidier on the ball, especially in transitions. We didn’t create enough to score today.
“Frustrating to concede [both goals from set pieces]. We pride ourselves on being difficult to beat on set pieces and work so hard on it. We just didn’t defend well enough today at set pieces.”
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