Five things learned as Denmark beat Wales 2-1 to earn Nations League promotion

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Denmark secured their spot as Uefa Nations League B4 winners thanks to a 2-1 win over Wales.

The Danes took the lead shortly before half-time thanks to a counter-attack finished by Nicolai Jorgensen.

Martin Braithwaite brilliantly scored Denmark’s second just before full-time but Gareth Bale ensured a nervy finish with an almost-instant reply, through Denmark held on.

Here are five things we learned as Denmark wrapped up League B4.

1. Denmark’s defence come up trumps once again

Over the past few years Denmark have built themselves a good reputation of being defensively strong and very tough to score against.

And it showed once again as they held off Wales on Friday night, ensuring they will be playing in League A for the next Uefa Nations League.

Though they did allow their opponents a host of chances to breach the Kasper Schmeichel’s goal, the Leicester City goalkeeper was barely troubled, happy to watch the likes of Gareth Bale and James Chester send the ball over and wide whenever Wales threatened in the air.

But when Schmeichel was called upon, the Dane brilliantly stopped Bale’s free-kick from going into the top corner. Though he could not deny the Real Madrid forward from grabbing a late consolation after Braithwaite had doubled Denmark’s lead.

Once Jorgensen had put Denmark ahead just before half-time, both Ã…ge Hareide and Wales must have had a mind to the Dane’s stunning defensive record.

Not since Poland did in 2016, no team has scored more than once in a competitive game against the Danes – something Wales needed to do if they wanted to turn the match around.

And in that time only two teams had scored more than twice against Denmark in friendlies, though one came in September as Slovakia beat a Denmark side made up of lower league and futsal players 3-0.

2. Wales have a Bale problem

Having missed the October internationals through injury, Gareth Bale was back in the Wales squad and started Friday’s game against Denmark.

But rather than helping the Dragons secure top spot in League B4 against a tough Danish side, Bale’s presence actually hindered his team.

With Bale playing close to striker Tyler Roberts, Wales tried to make a lot of their attacking play end at the Real Madrid forward’s feet (or head), valuing him as their best bet for breaching Denmark’s defence – understandably.

And though Bale did have some chances which he may have taken on other occasions – including a brilliant free-kick which was equally matched by Schmeichel’s save – his inclusion had Wales playing as though they were reduced to 10 men at times due to his influence on Roberts.

The young Leeds striker barely had a touch of the ball, ending the first half with just 19, the third lowest on the pitch of outfield starters. And Roberts did hardly anything with his brief time on the ball during that half, failing to have a shot and completing 14 passes.

Though he improved slightly after half-time, Roberts was hooked for Tom Lawrence with 20 minutes to go as Wales tried even more to push Bale forward.

Bale did eventually get his goal, after Wales had gone 2-0 down, but it came too late as the Dragons were paying the consequences for poor tactics early on.

3. Denmark prove they are more than just Eriksen

Going into the game, a lot was put on Gareth Bale vs Christian Eriksen and which star would help their team to glory.

In reality, neither did, but Eriksen’s Denmark came out on top after showing the world they are more than just the Spurs midfielder.

With Joe Allen marking Eriksen so close he could tell you what toothpaste the Dane uses, Martin Braithwaite and Yussuf Poulsen had to pick up on his jobs with Thomas Delaney and Lasse Schone also providing from deep.

And, though it took some time for them to grow into the game, it worked as Poulsen played in Jorgensen to cap off a quick counter attack with Wales’ defence at bay.

That should have been Denmark’s second goal of the game as Braithwaite had an effort ruled out for offside though replays showed the Dane was level as the assistant referee’s flag went up.

But Braithwaite got his goal shortly before full-time, scoring fantastically with a first-time volley having controlled the ball with his chest.

Eriksen’s influence grew after half-time as Wales started to become stretched but Denmark showed they don’t rely on their talisman, perhaps as much as the Welsh do Bale.

4. David Brooks Superstar

Despite Bale being in the starting XI, the Real Madrid forward was outshone by a young midfielder plying his trade in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

David Brooks has been good for the Cherries this season, slowly building himself to becoming an impressive midfielder at just 21 years of age. And, once again, he showed glimpses of what he can do on the big stage.

In the first half Brooks, playing on the right side of midfielD, created more chances than any other player (three), and after half-time he seemed to have flicked a switch to go up another gear and threatened the Denmark defence with his direct style of dribbling and confidence in shooting from outside the area.

Though his efforts would not help Wales take the win, Brooks can hold himself high and know he has a bright future ahead of him as part of a growing Welsh side.

5. Ireland’s poor period gets worse

While Denmark have confirmed their place at the top of League B4, and secured a spot at the big table for the next edition of the Nations League, spare a thought for the Republic of Ireland.

The Boys in Green have been relegated to Nations League C for the next edition, joining the likes of Northern Ireland, Georgia and Greece.

Martin O’Neill’s side are without a win in their three Nations League matches so far, drawing only once, and will face Denmark on Monday knowing nothing can save them from continuing their poor international slump.

The post Five things learned as Denmark beat Wales 2-1 to earn Nations League promotion appeared first on Squawka News.



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