Denmark 2-0 Wales: Christian Eriksen scores two goals as stars return

A Christian Eriksen masterclass in Aarhus ended Gareth Bale’s hopes of securing a win in his first match wearing the captain’s armband for Wales.

Not for the first time, Eriksen turned into Denmark’s talisman, scoring twice to take his tally to 15 goals in his last 18 games for the national team.

It delivered Ryan Giggs a reality check, after a week in which his swashbuckling style of play was likened to that of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Denmark celebrated after kicking off their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 2-0 triumph over Group B4 rivals Wales

Christian Eriksen scored both of Denmark’s goals as they brought Wales back down to earth after their big win over Ireland

Eriksen’s second goal of the night came from the penalty spot as he sent goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey the wrong way

Gareth Bale captained Wales for the first time as regular skipper Ashley Williams was not included in the matchday squad 

MATCH FACTS 

Denmark: Schmeichel, Dalsgaard, Kjaer, Joergensen, Larsen, Delaney, Schoene, Eriksen, Poulsen (Cornelius 86), Braithwaite, Sisto (Fischer 46)

Goals: Eriksen 32 and 63

Booked: Schmeichel

Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, Chester, Mepham, Davies, Allen, Ampadu (T Roberts 71), C Roberts (Brooks 59), Ramsey, Lawrence (Woodburn 79), Bale

Booked: Davies, Allen

Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany)

Attendance: 17,506

Those comparisons came after his side’s convincing 4-1 win over the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff, though they struggled to trouble a talented Danish team.

In the absence of Ashley Williams for this Nations League clash, Bale was named captain at Ceres Park, a cosy arena in the remote woodlands of Aarhus.

They found it hard to lay a glove on Denmark, however, while Eriksen’s first strike showed his precise shooting and his second displayed his confidence from the penalty spot.

For a while, it had seemed the Gods of football were trying their best to disrupt this game.

An ugly dispute between the Danish football association and its players over commercial rights created the possibility of the Danes fielding a team of unknowns.

Only an agreement at the 11th hour meant the futsal players on standby were not needed.

The 2,000-plus visiting supporters did not let the Danish players off lightly, though, as they sang ‘You’re only here for the money’ and ‘Greedy b*******’ throughout.

Wales encountered their own problems on the eve of this match too. Their private plane was grounded in Cardiff because of a technical fault, leaving the team unable to arrive at their hotel in Aarhus until the early hours of the morning.

Whether tired or not, the Wales squad were fresh from ripping the Republic of Ireland apart on Thursday. Ultimately, though, they failed to test Kasper Schmeichel in the first half.

Of their chances, Bale came closest after 28 minutes when he was fed the ball and had only Denmark captain Simon Kjaer ahead of him. The skipper used his pace to work an angle but dragged his shot beyond Schmeichel’s far post. 

Denmark named a strong team full of senior stars after using part-timers and futsal players in their previous match

Bale and Aaron Ramsey (second right) continued their tradition of standing in unusual positions for the pre-game photo

Midfielder Eriksen celebrated in front of Denmark’s home supporters after scoring the game’s opening goal in the first half

Denmark had their opportunities in opening exchanges too, with one corner by Eriksen leading to Thomas Delaney flashing a fierce volley just wide.

The hosts started to dominate and the deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute with Eriksen, unmarked on the edge of the box, showing his precision in shooting.

Lasse Schone spread the ball to Henrik Dalsgaard on the right wing before the Brentford player picked out the Tottenham midfielder, who scored off the post.

A lapse in concentration by Wales had cost them, with 17-year-old Ethan Ampadu the likeliest candidate who should have been covering Eriksen.

Denmark’s Pione Sisto then thought he had made it 2-0 when he unleashed a rising drive towards the top right corner. Somehow, Wayne Hennessey’s out-stretched arm denied him. 

Eriksen was mobbed by his team-mates after giving Denmark the breakthrough in what had been a fairly even encounter

Seventeen-year-old Chelsea midfielder Ethan Ampadu (left) made his fourth senior appearance for Wales on Sunday night

Wales had not secured a single shot on target. Giggs had to get more out of his team if he was to avoid his first competitive defeat as manager.

At the start of the second half, Bale had his chance to finally force Schmeichel into a save with a free-kick from 30 yards. His hard shot struck the wall, summing up his afternoon so far.

An hour in, Denmark were awarded a penalty after German referee Deniz Aytekin deemed the ball had struck the arm of Ampadu.

It was harsh, considering Viktor Fischer’s cross had came from three yards away, and Wales’ players protested. Eriksen, cool and composed, put it away convincingly.

In stoppage time, the Tottenham attacker could have secured his hat-trick with a free-kick from 30 yards but Hennessey denied him the match ball.

Even so, Eriksen’s work was done, and Denmark left as comfortable winners. Wales, meanwhile, left having been brought back down to earth.

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