Hojlund’s Penalty Seals Denmark Nations League Win Over Wales

Rasmus Hojlund held his nerve from the penalty spot to give Denmark a 1-0 Nations League win over Wales in Cardiff, extending an outstanding four-match spell for the 23-year-old forward.

The Denmark striker converted after a tense exchange with Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward, who attempted to unsettle him before the kick. Hojlund responded after scoring with what he described as an “icy look”, enjoying the confrontation rather than being distracted by it.

Quick facts

• Denmark beat Wales 1-0 in Cardiff in the Nations League.
• Hojlund scored the decisive penalty against Danny Ward.
• He has three goals in his past four Denmark appearances.
• The winner was his 16th international goal and his eighth in the past calendar year.
• Denmark coach Riemer compared his current influence to Erling Haaland’s importance for Norway.

Hojlund said he had worked deliberately on penalties in training, believing a leading attacker must be capable of accepting that responsibility. He added that goalkeepers will try to use movement and feints to gain an advantage, and that a striker must be ready to answer that challenge.

The goal continued a run which has brought three goals in four games, matching the recent return of Norway and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

Riemer praised Hojlund’s contribution in emphatic terms, saying the forward had “taken the throne” for Denmark. While acknowledging that Norway may not regard him as Haaland’s equal, the coach said Hojlund holds that standing within the Danish setup and deserved major credit for his performances.

Defender Rasmus Nissen Kristensen also described Hojlund as being at the peak of his international form. Kristensen said he had not previously seen the striker playing so well, calling him a “monster” after four significant displays for the national team.

Kristensen believes Hojlund has now combined qualities that had not always appeared together in his earlier Denmark appearances. The defender called the recent sequence decisively outstanding.

With 16 goals for his country, Hojlund is increasingly Denmark’s principal threat in attack. Eight of those strikes have arrived during the last year.

The striker said he was ready to embrace the expectations attached to that role despite his age. He pointed to experience at major venues, large stadiums and a final tournament, adding that he has the personality and work rate required to lead the line for Denmark.