Chelsea’s Harder keeps EURO dream alive for Denmark after netting only goal against Finland | OneFootball

Pernille Harder netted the only goal for Denmark in a 1-0 victory over Finland in Milton Keynes this evening.

The two opening day losers met at Stadium MK with both sides needing to get something from the game to keep their tournament alive going into the final group game.

In the first half, the Danes edged possession and looked much the more dangerous with the ball. Tottenham Hotspur keeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela was forced into a first big save early on, getting down low to palm away the shot from Sara Thrige. The passages of play swung between the two sides with Tottenham Hotspur’s Eveliina Summanen having a greater presence than in Finland’s opening game, doing a good job of marshalling Chelsea’s Harder.

It was Harder who had the next big chance, running shoulder-to-shoulder with one of the Finnish defenders but Korpela came out and claimed the ball at her feet as the first half remained goalless.

The second half fell into much the same pattern as the first, with Denmark having slightly more possession and looking more dangerous in front of goal, though both teams were wasteful with a number of shots going high or wide. With half an hour to play, Denmark boss Lars Søndergaard took the opportunity to bring on a number of fresh sets of legs.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Korpela was again the hero for Finland as she denied Sara Holmgaard when the player was put through on goal following some brilliant play by Harder. Three minutes later, even Korpela could not save her country as Harder rose high at the back post to head home. Denmark were in the lead as they probably should have been earlier in the game.

Finland did then make one change with Linda Sällström being replaced by Olga Ahtinen who fell into the defensive midfielder role with Summanen pushed up as a striker. It was a frenetic last 10 minutes and both sides had the opportunity to score but neither were able to take it.

There was a concern for Harder and Emma Koivisto in the closing minutes as they came together clashing heads. Liverpool fans will be happy Koivisto was able to continue, Harder looked the worse and came off shortly after.

Denmark secured their first three points of the tournament, keeping their hopes of progressing alive while Finland are now all-but-out.