FIFA Women's WC: Amalie Vangsgaard's 90th minute winner stuns China as Denmark celebrate return in style

Denmark ended a 16-year Women's World Cup absence with victory as a 90th-minute header from Amalie Vangsgaard broke China's hearts in Perth on Saturday.

Vangsgaard soared highest to give Denmark a 1-0 victory and stun the crowd of 17,000 fans, most of whom were loudly supporting the Asian champions.

It was a significant victory for Denmark between two similarly ranked teams in Group C, which is headlined by contenders England.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Led by dynamic 22-year-old Zhang Linyan, China had been the aggressors in a match that failed to live up to great heights until the dramatic ending.

Having been an early powerhouse in women's football, finishing runners-up in 1999, China hoped a shock triumph at last year's Asian Cup could fuel a return to their former glory.

Star striker Wang Shuang surprisingly started on the bench, as an enterprising China dominated the early exchanges with their speed on the left wing rattling a nervous Denmark.

But they were let down by poor finishing with their best chance from Zhang forcing Denmark goalkeeper Lene Christensen into a low save to her left.

Denmark, whose entire line-up comprised World Cup debutants, finally settled, with captain Pernille Harder being assertive in her return from a hamstring surgery.

ALSO READ |BCCI official drops HUGE hint on Rishabh Pant's return date; Suryakumar Yadav likely to lead in Ireland T20Is

But Denmark failed to penetrate a gritty China defence and their frustrations boiled over when Rikke Sevecke received a yellow card for shirt pulling just before half-time.

Wang started after half-time and made an immediate impact, rifling a long-range shot only to be thwarted by Christensen.

The contest opened up as both teams pressed, but Denmark's Josefine Hasbo missed a header in the 52nd minute with the goal at her mercy.

Denmark pressed aggressively and it paid off when Vangsgaard stepped up in the dying stages.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.