Harder scores to send Denmark to the World Cup knock out stages. Photo Credit: Pernille Harder via instagramDenmark took on debutants Haiti for their last group stage game in the World Cup, with the hopes of progressing to the knock-out stages of the competition. Haiti looked to be heading out of the competition as the only team having not picked up points, but were determined to leave as a team to be remembered.
Denmark started the game strong and clinical. Within less than three minutes, a Danish corner saw the ball in the back of the net, slotted in by Vangsgaard. However, the scoreline remained equal due to defender Simone Boye being in an offside position, but a dangerous sign from the team.
However, it didn’t take Denmark too long to change the scoreline. 20 minutes into the game the ball hit a raised arm from Haiti’s Pierre-Louis, awarding Denmark a penalty. There was no doubt that the composed Pernille Harder would step up, slotting the ball in the bottom left corner and putting her country one step closer to the round of 16. Danish skipper Pernille Harder was expectedly one of the best players on the pitch, her clinical and prolific finishing meaning she could have had multiple goals. A header in the 45th minute also came from her but was ruled offside.
Haiti certainly came out from halftime more spirited, having periods of dominating possession and as we’ve seen many times this tournament, looked dangerous on the counter-attacks. However, it was just the last touch that let them down with only three shots on goal, something that’s carried through all three of their group games. A Haitian free kick saw Pierre-Louis header the ball straight to goalkeeper Christensen- a fantastic delivery but just lacking the clinical strike.
Melchie Dumornay in particular seemed determined to make her mark, even if her country seemed to be heading out of the competition. She brought the urgency, shooting powerful balls from what seemed out of nowhere and forcing fine saves from Christensen to keep Denmark ahead.
Denmark regained control of the game as the second half went on. Haiti looked increasingly tired and dispirited, but persevered nonetheless. In the 82th minute, the Danes nearly doubled their lead after a tackle on goalkeeper Theus by Signe Brunn which allowed Harder to header the crossed ball into an open net. However, this became another ruled out goal due to the foul.
Denmark finally did put themselves in a more comfortable position after 8 minutes of added time. A through-ball by Gejl timed to perfection allowed Troelsgaard to shoot across the box and slot the ball in the bottom left corner, past a slightly out-of-position Theus. The camera immediately panned to the team celebrating with the bench as Denmark secured their place in the World Cup knockouts for the first time since 1995. This is the first goal from open play that Haiti have conceded in the tournament.
It’s been a tough three games for Haiti but a World Cup debut to be immensely proud of, and a team not to forget. They may exit the competition with three losses but this does not do justice the fight they put up against three top teams, and how they have established themselves on the biggest stage in World football. They’re an agile and physical team with some of the best young talent in the game such as Lyon’s Melchie Dumornay- if people didn’t know her name before the World Cup, they do now. Haiti just struggled with the intensity of games in such quick succession, their best performance certainly being their first against England. This ability to sustain energy over games comes with the exposure of playing in such major tournaments, and Denmark’s experience certainly shone through in this game.
With England also winning their final group stage game against China, Denmark finished as runner-up in Group D. This means that they will take on co-hosts Australia in Sydney on Monday, looking to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.
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