Denmark overcome Haiti to book place in knockout round
Denmark captain Pernille Harder converted a first-half penalty to register her maiden Women’s World Cup goal,setting up a 2-0 victory over Haiti.
The result ends a long drought for the Danes,who last advanced to the knockout stage in 1995.
Denmark started with a bang and remained undeterred after a third-minute goal by defender Simone Boye was ruled offside by VAR.
Haiti midfielder Dayana Pierre-Louis conceded a penalty for handball in the 21st minute,which gave Harder her moment,coolly slotting the ball in the bottom-left corner from the spot.
The Bayern Munich player could have had two more,with a 45th minute effort ruled offside and an 83rd minute header disallowed after forward Signe Bruun was found to have fouled the diminutive Caribbean goalkeeper Kerly Theus outside the box.
Pernille Harder of Denmark scores for her side in their 2-0 win over Haiti.Credit:Getty Images
Haiti,ranked 55th in the world,showed great spirit in search of an equaliser,dominating periods after the break,but ultimately the experience of the 18th-ranked Danes shone through and substitute Sanne Troelsgaard sealed the result in stoppage time.
Haiti end their first World Cup campaign winless from three games.
Cup champions US given almighty scare against Portugal
The width of an Eden Park goalpost is all that has kept the United States in the Women’s World Cup.
The reigning champions were given an almighty scare in their 0-0 draw with Portugal on Tuesday night,a match they largely controlled but almost let slip.
Portugal’s Ana Borges is tackled by the United States’ Sophia Smith during their 0-0 draw.Credit:AP
Portugal substitute Ana Capeta smashed a 91st-minute effort onto the post when a goal would have eliminated the two-time reigning champions.
Instead,the world No.1s limped into the round of 16 at the expense of the first-timers,who were brave and on another night might have upended world football’s order.
Capeta’s moment was so huge that half of the Portuguese bench jumped up ready to celebrate a famous victory.
“I swear,I truly believed the goal would be in that moment,” coach Francisco Neto said.
“Unfortunately we don’t win and we go home. But our girls were very brave and they made an amazing game today.”
Portugal had another stoppage time chance when Alyssa Naeher flapped at a floating ball from a deep free kick,which drifted just wide.
“We are really very sad about the result,” said Jessica Silva,who also scuffed an early attempt which could have proved decisive.
“Don’t forget about us. Please realise what Portugal has achieved.”
The Portuguese collapsed on the ground in despair at full time while the Americans looked sheepish after their performance.
“It’s not the result we wanted,” striker Alex Morgan said.
“We missed some big chances. I did as well. We own that.
“Now it’s coming back together,knowing we have all the pieces to make it all the way.”
The result means the US qualified in second place in Group E,trailing the Netherlands who thumped Vietnam 7-0 in Dunedin on Tuesday.
A return of five points is the Americans’ worst group-stage performance at a Women’s World Cup,failing to top their group for just the second time.
It just didn’t quite click in Auckland for the USWNT who are yet to impress in New Zealand.
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The result means the US will face the winners of Group G - most likely Sweden - on Sunday in the round of 16.
Should the Scandinavians avoid defeat against Argentina as expected,the world No.1s will face the world No.3s in a blockbuster Melbourne meeting.
Reuters,AAP with Scott Spits
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