Wales 0-1 Denmark: Hojlund penalty condemns Bellamy's side to third Nations League defeat

Rasmus Hojlund's penalty was the difference as Denmark overcame a stubborn Wales 1-0 in the Nations League at Cardiff City Stadium.

After Danny Ward pulled off a couple of brilliant stops to deny the visitors, the Wrexham goalkeeper made an error in judgement by bringing down Gustav Isaksen inside the box.

That allowed Hojlund to convert his penalty, with Denmark now sitting in second place in Group A4, six points behind leaders Portugal. 

Wales almost found the back of the net in the early exchanges, but Brennan Johnson fired wide from a tight angle before Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was substituted after sustaining an early injury.

Morten Hjulmand headed wide of the upright, while Sorba Thomas failed to test Mads Hermansen with a free-kick at the other end.

The visitors should have taken the lead before half-time, but Isaksen was unable to convert his chances, first heading over from close range, and then blazing a wild attempt into the stands.

Ward had to be alert to keep out Hojlund’s close-range strike in the opening five minutes of the second half before making a stunning stop moments later, tipping Isaksen's header onto the left-hand post.

Johnson was presented with a good opportunity, but the Everton attacker could only fire over the woodwork, following an explosive run from Thomas down the left flank.

However, Ward went from hero to villain for Wales after bringing down Isaksen in the penalty area, with Hojlund stepping up to coolly convert the spot-kick into the bottom-left corner in the 75th minute.

Craig Bellamy's side struggled to muster a response afterwards, with Wales now sitting third in Group A4, with one win and three defeats. 

Ward goes from hero to zero for Wales

Coming into this game, Wales knew they had to win if they were to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals of the competition.

They were indebted to Ward, who made a string of fine saves to keep Denmark at bay. The goalkeeper made three saves, with the one against Isaksen in the second half being the best of the bunch.

However, Ward showed a lack of concentration as he felled Isaksen in the 18-yard box, after conceding possession, presenting Denmark with the opportunity to seal all three points, which Hojlund duly took.

Hojlund has now scored eight goals in his last 10 competitive internationals for Denmark, who have won five consecutive meetings with Wales in all competitions, conceding just one goal.

The visitors deserved this victory, having recorded 13 shots with four attempts on target, reflected by an expected goals (xG) of 2.20. Conversely, Wales' six shots and 0.37 xG were both their lowest in a home fixture in the competition.