DAMAGE DANE BY SPOT-KICK
UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE LATEST ACTION DENMARK ..... 2 WALES ..... 0 JAMES NURSEY in Aarhus
turned and fired in off the post. The score could have been worse at half-time had keeper Wayne Hennessey not made a superb save from Pione Sisto’s drive.
Wales, who didn’t have a shot on target in the first half, improved slightly after the break with a Ramsey shot blocked.
Bale smashed a free-kick into the wall which left Kjaer down needing treatment. But in the 62nd minute Ethan Ampadu was penalised for handling sub Viktor Fischer’s cross.
Eriksen made no mistake from the spot and further Hennessey saves spared Wales from a potential heavy defeat. OLIVIER GIROUD ended a run of 10 goalless games for France as his stunning winner saw the world champs beat the Dutch in the Nations League.
The night started with a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise as France played a first home fixture since lifting the World Cup in July and ended with a comfortable victory at the Stade de France.
Chelsea striker Giroud said: “I thought I was going to be taken off. The game against Germany was my first of the season as a starter and the coach took me off, which was normal. I suffered again physically today and I realised I didn’t have many minutes left.
“I know Benjamin Mendy’s ability to cross to the near post and I went for it. It worked out well for me and the team. I’m very happy for everyone.”
The excellent Kylian Mbappe set France on their way with a first-half opener.
The PSG star tapped home at the far post from a Matuidi cross after Quincy Promes’s misplaced header put the Juventus man clear. But veteran forward Ryan Babel stunned the home crowd by levelling in the 67th minute with Holland’s only shot on target.
Giroud produced a moment of magic 15 minutes from time to seal the win, as France recorded a fifth successive victory over the Dutch.
The Chelsea striker met Benjamin Mendy’s left-wing cross as he produced a fierce first-time finish.
Jasper Cillessen in the Holland goal got a hand to the shot but could not keep it out.
Dutch boss Ronald Koeman said: “Let’s not forget we were playing against France, so we couldn’t expect to be in control for 90 minutes.
“Yet I’m still angry because there were a number of crucial moments in the game that we didn’t make the most of.
“We have to feel that there was more we could’ve taken from this match. But at least you saw that when we actually start to play we can do very well.”