Denmark stunned France 4-2 on penalties on Monday to set up a UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 semi-final against Norway, who had a comfortable 3-1 win over Spain in Sweden.
Janni Arnth struck the decisive spot-kick to give Denmark a shock victory over a France team that had won all three group games after the match had finished 1-1 following extra-time.
An upset was in the air as early as the 28th minute when Johanna Rasmussen gave Denmark the lead when she latched on to a long ball and flashed a left-foot shot past France goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi.
Photo: AFP
France equalized from the penalty spot in the 74th minute after Camille Abily was pushed in the back by Line Roddik. Louisa Necib took the spot-kick, and although Stina Petersen got both hands to the ball, she could not keep it out.
France pressed in vain for a winner, but the game finished 1-1 and after extra-time went to penalties.
Necib and Sabrina Delannoy both missed from the spot for France, leaving Arnth to fire home Denmark’s final kick.
Photo: EPA
Denmark collected two points in the group stage and only made it into the quarter-finals when their name was drawn out of the hat ahead of Russia.
They next face Nordic neighbors Norway in the semi-final tomorrow.
Solveig Guldbrandsen netted Norway’s first on 24 minutes when her cross from the right wrong-footed the defense and sailed into the Spain goal.
Photo: AFP
Spain defender Irene Paredes then shanked an attempted clearance past her goalkeeper to put Norway 2-0 up just before halftime.
Ada Hegerberg swept in a sublime third for Norway, before Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso managed to pull one back in stoppage-time.
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