UEFA Nations League A, Group 4
Cardiff City Stadium
Sunday 4th October 2026
Attendance: 25,108
After the euphoria of Thursday night’s win against Norway, expectations were high at the Cardiff City Stadium for the unusual sight of Cymru football under the lights late on a Sunday night. I sometimes think that UEFA forgets that fans have to go to work or school the following day when they decide these kick-off times, but fans are very low on the list of importance these days.
Embed from Getty ImagesCymru took on Denmark for the second time in a matter of weeks. Y Wal Goch were hoping for a victory after the poor performance in Denmark. Unexpectedly, both sides made very few changes for both sides’ fourth match of the international break.
Embed from Getty ImagesCraig Bellamy made just the one change: Brennan Johnson in for Dan James. Denmark made two changes, with Mikkel Damsgaard and Adam Daghim making way for Gustav Isaksen and Victor Froholdt. Many fans expected Bellamy to make more changes; after mentioning that there were too many games in such a short time frame, many thought he would use players who haven’t featured much during the break. Cameron Congreve, Cian Ashford, and Joel Colwill are three who were expected to be given time to capitalise on their current form and fitness, having been regulars for Westerlo and Cardiff City this season.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe game started positively, with Cymru having the lion’s share of the possession (ending the game with 56%), but that positivity ebbed away whenever they got into the final third. They failed to create many chances, with just 3 shots on goal and only 1 on target.
The smaller crowd tonight created a good atmosphere and did their best to push the players on, but alas, we never looked like scoring.
Embed from Getty ImagesDenmark came back into the game and seemed more confident on the attack without setting the game alight. Despite having less possession throughout the game, they still had a myriad of chances, with 36 touches in the Cymru box and 13 shots, 4 of those being on target and 2 of them brilliantly saved by Danny Ward.
With his name being sung loudly after every save, Y Wal Goch started to think it was going to be another one of those nights when the Cymru defence would stand strong. Unfortunately, thoughts of a clean sheet were transitory. In the 73rd minute, after a pass from Ben Cabango, Ward sliced his clearance, with the ball going to Gustav Isaksen. A panic took over, with Ward lunging at the ball but in doing so taking down Isaksen.
Embed from Getty ImagesRasmus Højlund stepped up to take the penalty, calmly sending Ward the wrong way, and that’s the way it stayed for the rest of the match. Not many positives to take from the defeat tonight, with many players flattering to deceive. But there is still a chance to stay in League A, with games against Norway away and Portugal in Cardiff next month. Then it’s on to the important matter of qualifying for the Euros, with some games being held in Cardiff—a chance of a lifetime for Cymru players and fans.
With thanks to Stephen for the report, and James for the feature photo.