England were made to dig deep when Lauren James was given a red card for stamping - while Denmark could not overcome the strength of an in-form Australian side.
England secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup after winning a dramatic penalty shoot-out 4-2 against Nigeria in Brisbane, Australia.
ADVERTISEMENT It was forward Chloe Kelly who broke Nigerian hearts and sent England supporters into raptures as she hammered home the winning spot kick past Nigeria's goalkeeper, Nnadozie.
The defeat means Nigeria have failed to win a knockout game in any of their ten World Cup tournaments.
120 minutes of football were not enough to separate the two sides, who could not break the deadlock despite England being reduced to 10 players when Lauren James stamped on Michelle Alozie late on.
England's first penalty-taker Georgia Stanway did little to calm her country's nerves when she fired wide of the post. But fatigue was taking its toll on both sets of players. Nigeria missed their next two efforts from the 12-yard spot.
England became title favourites after the defending champion US team were eliminated on Sunday in a penalty shootout loss to Sweden.
But the Lionesses struggled to create opportunities against Nigeria's staunch defence and were the weaker side for much of the game.
Matters were made worse for England five minutes from time when star forward James was sent off, after a VAR review, for violent conduct after stomping on a Nigeria defender.
She will now miss England's quarter-final tie and could potentially face a longer ban.
England will meet Colombia or Jamaica in Sydney next Saturday in the quarter-finals.
Denmark crash out of the tournament as hosts Australia advance
Meanwhile the Danish team is heading home, after losing 2-0 to co-hosts Australia on Monday evening.
Australian fans will start to believe their team could go on to be crowned world champion after star striker Sam Kerr returned from a calf injury to make her first appearance at the tournament.
ADVERTISEMENT In front of a crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia, the Matildas already put themselves on course for the last eight by the time Kerr made her entrance in the 80th minute.
Foord fired Australia in front in the 29th after running on to a pass from Mary Fowler.
Raso drilled home a second in the 70th after Emily van Egmond's lay off.
The Sydney Opera House was lit up in the yellow and green colors of the Matildas as excitement grew ahead of kickoff.
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