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 on Tuesday and a spot for her side in the last 16.

The result ends a long drought for the Danes, who last advanced to the knockout stage in 1995. After defeating China 6-1, England topped Group D and will face Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday. Runner-up Denmark will meet Australia in Sydney.

“I’m so proud of the girls and of the team that we made it through the group stages. It’s been a long time since a Danish team did that in a World Cup,” Harder told reporters.

Denmark started with a bang and remained undeterred after a third-minute goal by defender Simone Boye was ruled offside by the video assistant referee.

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 Caribbean goalkeeper Kerly Theus outside the box.

Haiti, ranked 55th in the world, showed great spirit in search of an equalizer, 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 ends its first World Cup campaign winless from three games.

“We’re very, very proud of our team. I’m not scared of what the future may hold, and I’m not scared of dealing with these defeats,” said Haiti Coach Nicolas Delepine.
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