The rising optimism surrounding Wales was dented on Sunday as a Christian Eriksen double inflicted defeat on Ryan Giggs’ men.
Eriksen struck either side of half-time for a 2-0 win which saw the Scandinavians draw level with Wales in Ireland’s UEFA Nations League group.
The Denmark players temporarily resolved their financial dispute with the country’s FA, which allowed the likes of Eriksen and co to line up against Wales after a second-string was fielded for their friendly against Slovakia on Wednesday.
The hosts dominated in Aarhus and Eriksen struck a fine opener after 32 minutes, firing a precise shot past Wayne Hennessey and in off the post.
Although Wales played well in parts, Denmark saw out the game in an accomplished manner, with Eriksen making sure of the points from the penalty spot after Ethan Ampadu had been penalised for handball.
19 – Christian Eriksen has been directly involved in 19 goals in his last 18 appearances for Denmark, scoring 14 times and providing five assists. Pride. pic.twitter.com/yBUgJHdRDK
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 9, 2018
The defeat is unlikely to prompt a grim, Ireland-esque post-mortem but Wales were given a healthy dose of reality after the elation of thumping the Boys in Green in Cardiff.
It means Ireland can move alongside the other two nations on three points if they beat Denmark in Dublin on October 13, three days before hosting Wales.
While Martin O’Neill certainly has a number of issues to address in the Ireland set-up, suddenly the landscape doesn’t look quite as bleak. Beat Denmark – an assignment we failed spectacularly last year – and we’re back on track.
🇩🇰 Christian Eriksen has now scored 14 goals in his last 18 games for Denmark 🔥🔥🔥#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/rNdhu1OqiS
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) September 9, 2018
