Rasmus Hojlund Penalty Sinks Wales as Denmark Win 1-0 in Cardiff

CARDIFF, Wales — Rasmus Hojlund scored a 75th-minute penalty as Denmark beat Wales 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, three days after Craig Bellamy's side had beaten Norway.

Goalkeeper Danny Ward misjudged a pass and then clattered into Gustav Isaksen as he tried to win the ball back, WalesOnline reported. Hojlund rolled the spot kick into the net for his third goal in four international outings.

Ward's saves had kept Wales level

Denmark had the better of the chances. Early in the second half, Ward denied Hojlund from close range and tipped an Isaksen header onto the post. The visitors had lost midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to injury in the opening minutes.

It was Wales' third defeat in four games played inside 10 days, BBC Sport reported, and their second against Denmark in this campaign.

Bellamy defended his goalkeeper. "Obviously it's the decisive moment, but he made two incredible saves before that," he said.

Bellamy hits out at four-game window

The Wales head coach said the newly merged September and October international break, with four matches in one window, had worked against his injury-hit squad and "puts a real stress" on countries like Wales.

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

"We can deal with two, do you understand? And then the squad will get really tested," he added.

Wales were without players including Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon and Harry Wilson for the entire camp, according to the BBC.

Despite the defeat, Wales stayed on three points and moved up to third in their group on head-to-head record against Norway, who lost 2-1 in Portugal on Sunday. Wales visit Norway and host Portugal in November to complete the campaign.

Sources: BBC Sport; WalesOnline