Craig Bellamy targets more history against a Denmark side under pressure

Craig Bellamy is targeting more history against a Denmark side under pressure. After the 1-0 setback against Portugal in Lisbon, the Wales head coach is preparing his team for Sunday’s Nations League trip to Copenhagen, at 17:00 BST.

When Wales need a result, the story between Bellamy and Denmark has often taken a special turn. The former striker has an impressive record against the Danes and now wants to add to it from the touchline as his players attempt to topple Denmark.

Bellamy recalled that, at 19, while scoring freely in the Championship, “everything was going in” for him. He also acknowledged that Wales had been heavily outplayed in one of those meetings: coming on and scoring the winner had been the “furthest thing” from his mind.

A decade later, Bellamy again inflicted maximum damage on Denmark. In November 2008, around 15 miles south-west of Parken Stadium, he struck from about 20 yards in the 77th minute to beat Thomas Sorensen and earn John Toshack’s side a surprise friendly win. Aaron Ramsey made his senior international debut in that match. Afterwards, Toshack said he had asked Bellamy to play deeper and run in behind, while noting that he still had chances in the first half before scoring the decisive goal.

This time, Bellamy faces the task of toppling Denmark as a coach. Both teams lost their opening Nations League A fixture on Thursday: Wales in Portugal, and Denmark 3-2 to Norway in Oslo. Both nations also failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup; Wales suffered penalty-shootout heartbreak against Czechia in the play-offs.

Memories of Bellamy’s first decisive goal against Denmark remain mixed. Iwan Roberts, an unused substitute at the time, felt his “magnificent header” probably saved Bobby Gould. Gould praised “14 fantastic Welshmen” who gave everything and said the bench had tried to “blow” the ball over the line when Craig scored.

Bellamy, however, remembers a far less enthusiastic response in the dressing room. He said he received plenty of stick from team-mates who were unhappy, even though the moment was among the happiest of his career at 19. He also joked about a kit he considered awful. Jay Dasilva, born only six months before that moment in Copenhagen, said the head coach had not mentioned the goal to the squad and promised to raise it with him.

Denmark are also waiting for another win, having last beaten North Macedonia in the World Cup play-off semi-finals in March. Wales have not won since beating the same opponents last November and have no victories in five matches in 2026. The stakes are especially high for Wales, who need a positive result to preserve their Nations League A status.

Brian Riemer described the Wales match as a “must-win”. Bellamy said he understood the frustrations of Danish supporters, while declining to “poke the bear” with predictions. He can nevertheless hope his team write another positive chapter against Denmark and show they can compete in the top tier of the Nations League.