Denmark beat Austria in shootout to reach Women’s Euro final

Emphatic spotkicks by star forwards Nadia Nadim and Pernille Haarder put Denmark in a commanding 2-0 lead, and then two saves by goalkeeper Stina Lykke Petersen left Simone Boye Sorensen with chance to score the victor and seal a resounding 3-0 win.

Both sides had plenty of chances to score over the 120 minutes, with Austria’s Sarah Puntigam missing the best of them as she blasted a penalty high over the bar early in the first half.

A Sanne Troelsgaard strike that hit the crossbar was the closest either side came to scoring in the first leg, although it never looked like it was going in. First Austria’s Nicole Billa had to be helped off the pitch in tears after suffering a foot injury, before Denmark’s Line Jensen suffered a painful knee injury and couldn’t continue.

A cagey second half followed as Denmark tested Austria’s defence with a series of corners and free-kicks delivered into the box, attempting to use the strong winds blowing around the Rat Verlegh Stadion to their advantage, but the European Championship debutants held firm.

The match in Breda finished goalless after extra time, though Denmark had enjoyed two-thirds of possession.

Denmark will meet the victor of Thursday’s other semi-final between hosts the Netherlands and England in Sunday’s final.