Milton Keynes (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Denmark kept alive their hopes of reaching the Euro 2022 quarter-finals as Pernille Harder’s late goal sealed a 1-0 win against Finland on Tuesday.

Lars Sondergaard’s side were thrashed by Germany in their opening Group B match but they bounced back with a hard-fought victory in Milton Keynes.

Chelsea striker Harder failed to make an impact against the Germans, but she found her form just when her country needed her most.

She netted with 18 minutes left to give Denmark a vital three points in their fight to qualify for the knockout stages.

Karen Holmgaard headed against the crossbar and Harder nodded in the rebound for her 69th goal in 136 Denmark appearances.

Finland substitute Anna Westerland almost snatched a stoppage-time equaliser with a long-range rocket that was brilliantly tipped over by Lene Christensen.

A win against Spain in their last group game on Saturday could be enough to send Denmark into the last eight, depending on the result of Tuesday’s late match between the Spaniards and Germany.

After a second successive group stage defeat, Finland will be eliminated if Spain do not beat Germany.