Spain fend off Denmark for Euro 2022 quarterfinals but questions linger with dominant England next

BRENTFORD, England — After a frustrating 89 minutes in North London with a spot in the Euro 2022 knockout stage on the, Spain emerged victorious thanks to Marta Cardona's last gasp header and sent Denmark home early.

What a difference five years make. At the 2017 Euros, Spain had flamed out early, unable to penetrate Austria's defence after 120 minutes of quarterfinal football while, conversely, Denmark had surpassed all expectations and made the final. Fast forward and, coming into Euro 2022, Denmark were expected to be the bubble team in Group B — the tournament's group of death — with Spain hotly picked to go all the way in England.

Germany, of course, had other ideas. First the Germans dispatched Denmark in Brentford in the opener of Group B before returning to the same ground to out-class Spain, leaving the battle for group runner-up to be decided at the same stadium both had been defeated in. Just as there had been little joy for either nation so far in Brentford, so it continued with neither able to even scare up some luck.

«We knew this was the group of death,» Denmark manager Lars Søndergaard said afterward. «Unfortunately, we were the ones who died.»

Usually expected to sit off and let Spain have the ball, Denmark had other ideas during the first half with a win necessary to progress, and they routinely sent the ball long for captain Pernille Harder. Although the enigmatic attacker managed to create a handful of good chances, the Danish misery in Brentford continued with her teammates incapable of challenging Sandra Paños in the Spain goal.

Spain, only needing a draw to reach the knockout rounds, looked rattled, unhappy with Harder's lung-busting runs and the frustrating defensive work of the Danish side. Even