Spain’s Marta Cardona sets up England tie after late strike sinks Denmark

There were 25 seconds remaining when at last the nerves fell away and they knew. Marta Cardona leaped at the far post to guide a header back in the net and Spain into the quarter-final against England, substitutes streaming from the bench to greet her, as relieved as they were delighted. It had been edgy and far from easy, but they had done it. Denmark, ultimately, had not done enough. They had waited for their moment, the goal they needed, but it was Spain who got it, eventually.

Lars Søndergaard had no problem admitting that his side would have less of the ball than Spain, lying in wait for their moment to break, and in the opening half an hour or so that plan looked likely to be vindicated. Denmark’s 4-5-1 unfolded fast, his team quick and direct, running at Spain. Janni Thomsen found space into which to advance, Kathrine Kühl impressed and Pernille Harder was increasingly difficult for Spain to control.

It was her sharp dash that almost set up Karen Holmgaard after 10 minutes and then a long ball sent her away to lob high and wide with Sandra Paños coming off her line to meet her. Next Harder outran Mapi León, reached the area and fired off a shot that Paños saved at the near post. Not long after that, Katrine Veje cut open Spain on the left and pulled back, the ball eventually coming to Thomsen who fell under challenge from Athenea del Castillo, treading a fine line.

All that came in a five-minute spell midway through a half in which Spain looked decidedly uncomfortable, but they started to take a degree of control. There was a willingness too to deliver early into the area, Mariona Caldentey heading over and Ona Batlle delivering a superb ball from which Del Castillo could not get a clean contact at the far post.