Euro 2022: Pernille Harder scores as Denmark beat Finland to keep hopes of progress alive

Pernille Harder's second-half goal ensured Denmark kept their hopes of progressing from Group B alive as they overcame a determined Finland at Euro 2022.

With both nations were seeking to respond to heavy opening-game defeats and reignite their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals, it was the 2017 finalists who deservedly prevailed at Stadium MK.

Chelsea forward Harder eventually ended Finland's resistance in the 72nd minute, heading in from close range after Karen Holmgaard's attempt had rebounded off the crossbar.

Denmark had dominated the contest but Lars Sondergaard's side found themselves frustrated in their efforts to force a breakthrough.

Forward Nadia Nadim went closest in the first half as she directed Sara Thrige's low cross towards goal - but Finland goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela managed to prevent the ball from trickling into the bottom corner.

A slick attacking move also resulted in Katrine Veje's low drive from the edge of the penalty area being saved by Korpela before the interval, while the Finnish skipper denied Holmgaard midway through the second period.

Finland, whose first attempt on target did not come until the 60th minute through a Ria Oling strike from distance, will be knocked out of the tournament later if Spain fail to beat Germany in their clash that kicks off at 20:00 BST.

Danes eventually make breakthrough

The odds of a successful group campaign were already against these two nations before the opening round of fixtures, when Denmark were thrashed 4-0 by eight-time winners Germany and tournament favourites Spain recovered from an early setback to overcome Finland 4-1.

With victory crucial to both sides, Denmark offered the greater attacking threat from the start, but were initially unable to make their superiority count despite 10 first-half attempts.

By far their best opportunity fell to Nadim after 12 minutes, but the 34-year-old - who fled Afghanistan as a child refugee more than 20 years ago - could not get enough power behind her first-time shot, allowing the busy Korpela enough time to scramble across her goal to save.

Nadim was again unable to add the finishing touch to another dangerous move as Finland were immediately put under pressure after the restart, while Oling's curled attempt was comfortable for Lene Christensen when Anna Signeul's team finally registered an shot of their own.

Harder, who failed to register a strike against Germany, had struggled to make an impact, while only goalkeeper Christensen had fewer touches of the ball than striker Signe Bruun before her 64th-minute substitution as Denmark failed to produce enough quality.

But they finally went ahead when Harder took her chance - the ball dropping kindly off the bar for the 29-year-old to finish - with the goal triggering jubilant scenes among the Danish players and substitutes by the side of the pitch.

Christensen prevented Finland from delivering a dramatic late twist as she leapt to push substitute Jenny-Julia Danielsson's strike over the bar.

It means Denmark still have a chance of reaching the last eight with Spain to follow on Saturday.

Player of the match

SeveckeRikke Sevecke

Denmark

Squad number4Player nameSevecke

Squad number13Player nameJunge

Squad number1Player nameChristensen

Squad number10Player nameHarder

Squad number20Player nameBruun

Squad number23Player nameSvava

Squad number19Player nameThomsen

Squad number11Player nameVeje

Squad number2Player nameThrige

Squad number3Player namePedersen

Squad number5Player nameBoye

Squad number14Player nameBredgaard

Squad number9Player nameNadim

Squad number7Player nameTroelsgaard

Squad number12Player nameLarsen

Squad number6Player nameHolmgaard

Finland

Squad number23Player nameKorpela

Squad number5Player nameKoivisto

Squad number4Player nameÖling

Squad number19Player nameSainio

Squad number2Player namePikkujämsä

Squad number17Player nameFranssi

Squad number18Player nameSällström

Squad number8Player nameAhtinen

Squad number10Player nameAlanen

Squad number20Player nameSummanen

Squad number15Player nameKuikka

Squad number13Player nameDanielsson

Squad number16Player nameWesterlund

Line-ups

Denmark

Formation 3-4-3

1Christensen

4Sevecke3Pedersen11Veje

2Thrige7Troelsgaard13Junge19Thomsen

9Nadim20Bruun10Harder

Substitutes

Finland

Formation 4-4-2

23Korpela

5Koivisto16Westerlund15Kuikka2Pikkujämsä

19Sainio20Summanen10Alanen4Öling

18Sällström17Franssi

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Denmark Women 1, Finland Women 0.

Second Half ends, Denmark Women 1, Finland Women 0.

Corner, Finland Women. Conceded by Lene Christensen.

Attempt saved. Jenny-Julia Danielsson (Finland Women) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Eveliina Summanen.

Substitution, Finland Women. Jenny-Julia Danielsson replaces Anna Westerlund.

Substitution, Denmark Women. Simone Boye replaces Pernille Harder.

Attempt missed. Natalia Kuikka (Finland Women) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Elli Pikkujämsä following a set piece situation.

Foul by Sofie Bredgaard (Denmark Women).

Ria Öling (Finland Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Attempt missed. Olga Ahtinen (Finland Women) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left. Assisted by Essi Sainio.

Foul by Sofie Svava (Denmark Women).

Emma Koivisto (Finland Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Sofie Svava (Denmark Women).

Emma Koivisto (Finland Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution, Finland Women. Olga Ahtinen replaces Linda Sällström.

Foul by Rikke Sevecke (Denmark Women).

Eveliina Summanen (Finland Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Katrine Veje (Denmark Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Linda Sällström (Finland Women).

Goal! Denmark Women 1, Finland Women 0. Pernille Harder (Denmark Women) header from very close range to the bottom right corner.

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