Leeds United star's honest verdict on international blow with 'doesn't happen again' message
Two Leeds United first-team stars were in action for Wales on Sunday evening.
Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu admits his Wales side were below their usual levels during Sunday’s 2-0 Nations League defeat in Denmark.
Ampadu was one of two Whites stars to feature at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, starting in midfield alongside 20-year-old debutant Charlie Savage - son of Robbie Savage. Daniel James played 67 minutes at right-wing before being replaced by Wolves youngster Jordan James.
Hosts Denmark dominated early proceedings but had to wait until the 53rd minute for Ben Davies to turn Mikkel Damsgaard’s cross into his own net. Gustav Isaksen then scored a deflected effort midway through the second half to leave Wales bottom of their Nations League Group A with zero points.
"It was a disappointing night for us,” Ampadu told Match of the Day Wales. “We played against a good team away from home, it was always going to be difficult in Group A. We didn't really put our levels in, we gave it everything we could but I think we could've been tidier on the ball.
“We didn't create enough to score. We pride ourselves on being difficult to beat at set pieces, we work so hard on it and today we just didn't defend them well enough. It's something to work on and make sure it doesn't happen again."
Defeat leaves Wales without a point or a goal scored in their Nations League campaign so far. Craig Bellamy’s side haven't won in six games throughout 2026 but have two home games against Norway and Denmark to come before club football returns.
"I'm really hurting,” Boss Bellamy said. “When you see an athletic team run over you a little bit... but then, will we improve? I think we will. This team will get better, these players will keep improving. There are young ones coming in well after I'm gone.
"For me now it's just focus, two more games to go. How can I help you improve for the next two games but also how can I improve? I'm probably more loving when I'm losing, I'm probably more of a pain in the backside when I'm winning."