Haiti 0-2 Denmark: Danes end 28-year wait to reach knockout stages

Denmark secured their spot in the Women’s World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 1995 with a 2-0 victory over Haiti in their final Group D match in Perth.

The Danish captain and record scorer, Pernille Harder, put her team ahead in the 21st minute with a penalty kick, and substitute Sanne Troelsgaard added a late goal in the 10th minute of stoppage time. Lars Sondergaard’s side finished as group runners-up behind England.

Haiti, making their competition debut, unfortunately, exited with this result after suffering 1-0 losses to England and China, both of which also involved conceding penalties.

Denmark, who had three goals disallowed during the match, will now travel to Sydney to face tournament co-hosts Australia in the last 16 on Monday.

Early in the game, Denmark thought they had taken the lead when Amalie Vangsgaard’s shot was parried by Haiti’s goalkeeper Kerly Theus, and Simone Boye scored on the rebound. However, the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.

The Danes eventually broke through when Haiti conceded another penalty for handball after Vangsgaard’s strike hit Dayana Pierre-Louis’ hand. Pernille Harder calmly converted the spot-kick, giving Denmark the lead.

Haiti had a chance to level the score in the first half, but their captain Nerilia Mondesir’s shot was saved by Lene Christensen.

In the second half, Haiti pushed for their first World Cup goal, with Roselord Borgella’s shot deflecting wide, and Batcheba Louis’ header being caught by Christensen.

Harder had another goal disallowed in the 83rd minute after the goalkeeper, Theus, was challenged by Signe Bruun. The ball was crossed to Harder, who headed into the empty net, but VAR intervened, and the goal was ruled out due to a foul.

In stoppage time, Theus made a good save to deny Mille Gejl, but she couldn’t prevent Troelsgaard from slotting the ball past her, sealing Denmark’s victory and extending their campaign in the tournament, while Haiti’s journey came to an end.