Brennan Johnson played 83 minutes as Wales suffered their second Nations League defeat in four days with a 2-0 loss against Denmark in Copenhagen.
The Everton forward started for Craig Bellamy’s side at the Parken Stadium and created one of Wales’ better opportunities during a difficult evening against the Danes.
Johnson creates Wales chance in Copenhagen
Denmark controlled much of the opening half and thought they had gone ahead when Gustav Isaksen volleyed home after 24 minutes, only for VAR to rule Rasmus Hojlund offside in the build-up.
Wales gradually found a way into the game. Johnson drilled a free-kick wide before combining with Sorba Thomas and reaching the byline to pull the ball back for Connor Roberts.
The defender’s close-range effort brought an excellent save from Filip Jorgensen, with the FAW’s account of the game highlighting a much-improved spell for Bellamy’s team before half-time.
Denmark made their superiority count after the restart. Ben Davies inadvertently turned Mikkel Damsgaard’s free-kick into his own net in the 53rd minute while challenging Hojlund, before Isaksen made it 2-0 after 65 minutes.
Johnson was booked shortly before Denmark’s second goal and remained on the pitch until the 83rd minute, when Wes Burns replaced him.
Wales still searching for first Nations League point
The defeat leaves Wales bottom of Nations League Group A4 after also losing 1-0 away to Portugal on Thursday.
They are yet to collect a point or score a goal, with Bellamy admitting afterwards that he was “really hurting” after watching his side struggle against an athletic Denmark team.
From an Everton perspective, Johnson has at least added another 83 competitive minutes while away with his country and was directly involved in one of Wales’ better attacking moments.
His international break isn’t finished yet. Wales return to Cardiff to face Norway on Thursday before another meeting with Denmark on Sunday, giving Johnson two more opportunities for minutes before returning to the Hill Dickinson.
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