Craig Bellamy, who took over as Wales manager in July 2024 after Rob Page's departure, believes Thursday's victory over Norway has fundamentally altered the dynamics of their Nations League campaign. The manager used striking language to describe the impact, saying the result has "thrown a hand grenade" into Group A4 as his side prepares to face Denmark in Cardiff on Sunday.
Wales remain in fourth place in the group despite their morale-boosting win, but they have now drawn level on points with both Norway and Denmark at the halfway stage of the competition. Wales had lost 2-0 to Denmark in the reverse fixture on 27 September before beating Norway 2-1 on 1 October, marking a dramatic turnaround in fortunes.
A second consecutive victory would represent a significant stride towards avoiding a last-place finish and would substantially boost their prospects of securing a top-seeded position in the Euro 2028 qualifying draw. Should Wales finish third or higher in their Nations League group, they will be seeded as a top nation when the qualifying draw takes place.
How has the group situation changed?
Bellamy is adamant that Portugal will claim the group title "unless a disaster happens," yet he views the battle for the remaining positions as genuinely competitive following the shock result against the Norwegians.
"I don't know with the way the group's gone now because that [result] has thrown in a hand grenade. Basically the group's exploded now between the three of us because obviously Denmark will look at it and say well they didn't expect that, so we all sit on three points apart from Portugal. Portugal have run away with this and they're going to win the group. Now can we really be in the mix with these two heavyweight Scandinavian teams? That's the aim. We'll see where that goes."
The 2-1 win over Norway was Wales' first victory against a higher-ranked nation since Bellamy took charge, and their first win in the Nations League's top tier. The triumph also halted a six-match winless streak that stretched back to November 2025, a period Bellamy has acknowledged was "really difficult" for him personally.
What does Bellamy expect against Denmark?
Bellamy insists Wales must replicate the intensity and quality they displayed against Norway if they are to overcome Denmark, who are ranked 21st globally.
"We have to perform like we did against Norway. That's all I'm thinking about again - consistency and perform, perform, perform."
The manager was notably critical of Wales' display in the reverse fixture in Copenhagen, describing his team as unrecognisable from their best performances.
"I didn't recognise us. That's not what we do and how we've been when we've been at our best. We were too disconnected from front to back. We didn't create the overloads. It was too easy for [Denmark] to press us. Five men could press seven of our players - that's impossible. We learned a lot, I learned a lot from Denmark."
Why is seeding so important for Euro 2028?
Bellamy is acutely aware of the strategic importance of finishing above fourth place in the group. Securing a top-seeded position would spare Wales from facing other pot-one nations in the qualifying draw, a significant advantage in their path towards the 2028 European Championship.
"We see [the level when] we're playing against teams who are pot one, so if we don't have to play another pot one, then it's nice. It's a real motivation of course. That would really help us."
What changes might Bellamy make?
Bellamy's squad faces significant absences for the Denmark match, with Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor and Harry Wilson unavailable, while David Brooks returned to his club following the opening defeat in Portugal. Despite these constraints, Bellamy indicated that tactical adjustments are necessary as Wales play their final match of the current four-game international window.
"If I could pick the team that started the other night, [I would] all day. [But it is] just not possible. Love it to make it possible, but it isn't. One or two didn't come through it. So not giving away the team of course, but there will be one or two changes because we have to."
Bellamy has demonstrated a willingness to make significant alterations to his starting eleven regardless of results, and this match will be no exception given the injury situation and the demanding schedule.
What happens next?
Wales host Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, 4 October, with kick-off at 19:45 BST. Following this fixture, Wales are scheduled to play Norway away on 14 November and Portugal at home on 17 November to complete their group campaign.
