Mathias Jorgensen gave Denmark the lead inside a minute after firing home from a long throw into the box. Croatia equalised three minutes later after Denmark failed to clear and Mario Mandzukic turned the ball in.
After 90 minutes in Nizhny Novgorod the game entered extra-time after neither side was able to find a winner. With seven minutes of extra time to go, Jorgensen fouled Ante Rebic inside the box when he was through.