Bellamy Finds Much-needed Breakthrough – Now Can Wales Back It Up With Revenge Against Denmark?
CRAIG BELLAMY finally had the League A victory he had been waiting for on Thursday night.
Now comes the challenge of making sure it means something.
Wales’ 2-1 win over Norway at Cardiff City Stadium was more than simply three points. It was Bellamy’s first victory of the current UEFA Nations League campaign, Wales’ first ever win in a League A group, and perhaps most importantly, a reminder that this side is capable of competing with some of Europe’s strongest nations.
Sunday brings another major test.
Denmark return to Cardiff just a week after beating Wales in Copenhagen, and Bellamy will want his players to show that Thursday’s victory was not a one-off.
A night Wales badly needed
Wales had begun the campaign with difficult away fixtures against Portugal and Denmark before returning home to face Norway.
That made Thursday night’s game important.
Norway arrived with some of the most recognisable attacking talent in European football, not least Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, and when Oscar Bobb put the visitors ahead, Wales again found themselves chasing a game.
This time, however, the response was impressive.
Dan James finished a swift counter-attack to bring Wales level before half-time and Norway were then reduced to ten men early in the second half.
Neco Williams took full advantage, producing a superb free-kick to put Wales ahead.
From there, Bellamy’s side held on for a victory that felt bigger than the scoreline suggested.
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Goal machine Haaland kept quiet
Much of the pre-match attention inevitably centred on Haaland.
Yet Wales managed to restrict one of the world’s most dangerous strikers to a relatively quiet evening.
That in itself will have pleased Bellamy.
Wales have often been at their best when organisation, energy and collective discipline allow them to frustrate supposedly superior opponents, and there were signs against Norway that those qualities remain very much alive.
Captain Ben Davies later described the victory as important for the squad’s belief, saying Wales had shown they were capable of competing against sides of this quality.
That belief may be every bit as important as the three points.
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Bellamy’s relief after run of defeats
For Bellamy, the victory also arrived at an important moment personally.
Recent results had increased the pressure surrounding Wales, and the head coach acknowledged afterwards just how demanding the previous few months had been.
There was a clear sense of relief.
But Bellamy is unlikely to spend long celebrating.
One of the consistent themes since he took charge has been his insistence that Wales can continue to improve.
Promotion from League B in his first Nations League campaign was achieved without defeat, but League A was always going to provide a very different examination.
Portugal, Denmark and Norway represent exactly the level Wales wanted to test themselves against.
Thursday finally provided tangible evidence that they can compete.
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Denmark come to Cardiff
There is little time to enjoy it.
Wales face Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, October 4, kick-off 7.45pm, in the fourth match of this Nations League campaign.
The Danes already know exactly what Wales can offer.
When the sides met in Copenhagen on September 27, Denmark came out on top, with Gustav Isaksen among the key figures and Wales unable to turn promising periods into a result.
Sunday therefore offers an immediate opportunity to respond.
It will also provide an interesting measure of progress.
Can Wales take the confidence and aggression shown against Norway and reproduce it against another technically gifted opponent?
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Where can I watch Wales v Denmark?
Wales v Denmark kicks off at 7.45pm on Sunday, October 4, at Cardiff City Stadium.
Welsh-language coverage begins on S4C at 7.15pm, with the match also available to stream on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer.
For viewers watching online, S4C’s coverage can therefore be accessed through either S4C Clic or BBC iPlayer, making the game available across a range of devices.
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Can I still get tickets for Wales v Denmark?
Tickets are still being advertised through the official FAW ticketing system, although availability may be more limited this close to kick-off. Adult tickets started from £30, with junior tickets from £9.50, plus concessions for 17–21-year-olds and over-65s. Supporters should use the official FAW ticketing route rather than unofficial resale sites.
There should be a strong atmosphere again at Cardiff City Stadium. 32,076 supporters attended Thursday night’s 2-1 win over Norway, giving Craig Bellamy’s side a sizeable home backing for their first League A victory of the campaign.
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A different mood around Cardiff
Had Wales lost to Norway, Sunday’s game could easily have carried a very different atmosphere.
Instead, the Red Wall can arrive with renewed optimism.
That matters.
Cardiff City Stadium has produced some memorable nights for Wales over the past decade, and Bellamy will know the value of building momentum at home.
A win against Denmark would turn the opening four-game block into something far more encouraging than seemed possible after the two away defeats.
Even a strong performance would reinforce the sense that Wales are learning what life in League A requires.
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Selection questions
Bellamy also has decisions to make.
The extended international window has placed a heavy workload on the squad, and Sunday will be Wales’ fourth match in little more than a week.
There may therefore be temptation to freshen things up.
At the same time, managers are often reluctant to disrupt a winning side.
Dan James looked dangerous against Norway, Neco Williams produced the decisive moment, Sorba Thomas caused problems and Wales’ defensive structure largely succeeded in keeping Haaland away from the most dangerous areas.
Bellamy must now decide how much continuity he wants — and how much freshness he needs.
Can Wales make Cardiff count?
The challenge facing Wales in League A remains considerable.
There are no easy nights in a group containing Portugal, Denmark and Norway.
But perhaps that is precisely the point.
Wales fought to earn promotion to this level. Now they have to prove they belong there.
Thursday night’s victory over Norway was the first significant step.
Sunday offers the chance to take another.
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Matchday travel and parking
Stadium gates open two hours before kick-off, and supporters are being advised to allow extra time for their journey because the Cardiff Half Marathon is also taking place on Sunday, bringing significant road closures and traffic disruption across the city.
Parking at Cardiff City Stadium is available for £10, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Supporters travelling back towards north Wales may also find the special 22:44 Transport for Wales service from Cardiff Central to Holyhead useful after the match.
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DID EWE KNOW?
Denmark have caused Wales repeated problems in the Nations League. They won both meetings in the inaugural 2018 competition, including a 2-1 victory in Cardiff, making Sunday’s encounter another opportunity for Wales to change the direction of a surprisingly one-sided recent rivalry.