Wales sunk by Hojlund penalty as Bellamy blames brutal four-game window

Wales lost 1-0 to Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, 4 October, in the Nations League, UEFA's competition that groups national teams by rank. Rasmus Hojlund settled it from the penalty spot in the 75th minute The Guardian.

It was Wales' third defeat in four games in the space of 10 days. The run started with an opening loss to Portugal, continued with a 2-0 defeat in Copenhagen on 27 September, then lifted with a 2-1 win over Norway on Thursday before Denmark came to Cardiff BBC Sport.

The winner came after a busy night for Danny Ward. The Wales goalkeeper kept out efforts from Hojlund and Gustav Isaksen. Then an error and a foul from Ward gave Denmark the penalty. Hojlund did not miss.

Wales manager Craig Bellamy said the schedule had counted against his side. International teams used to play six games across three two-match breaks in September, October and November. This season September and October were merged into one long four-game window for the first time.

"Physically, I completely agree with the ones who don't like [the new window]. It makes no sense," Bellamy told BBC Sport.

Bellamy said he was in the room when countries voted for the change and that he did not back it. He called it a complete disadvantage to Wales. He said it puts real stress on countries like Wales and is designed for the elite sides who can rotate quickly and replace players like-for-like because they have bigger squads.

The absences told their own story. Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor and Harry Wilson missed the whole camp. David Brooks dropped out after the Portugal defeat. Dan James was only on the bench against Denmark because Bellamy said he was not fit enough to start. Ben Davies was taken off late on and Bellamy admitted he probably should have been rested.

There was one small lift despite the defeat. Wales climbed to third in League A Group A4 on head-to-head record, the tie-breaker decided by results between level teams, after Norway lost 2-1 in Portugal on the same night.

That 2-1 win over Norway on Thursday, with goals from Dan James and Neco Williams, had been Wales' first ever victory in League A, the top tier of the competition UEFA.

What makes this stand out is the noise around the calendar. For fans, this means the same debate you hear at club level, now with national teams. Too many games, too few fit bodies, and a smaller nation feeling the pinch first.

Wales return next month. They play Norway in Oslo before finishing the group at home to Portugal three days later.