Denmark Out Despite Schmeichel's Triple Penalty Save
- Kasper Schmeichel saved a penalty in extra-time and two in the shootout
- Denmark lost 3-2 on penalties and exit the tournament at the last 16 stage
- The Danes drew 1-1 with Croatia after 120 minutes of their tie at Nizhny Novgorod
- Ricardo Pereira and Adrien Silva's Portugal were eliminated on Saturday
Schmeichel heroically made a save from the spot in extra-time and two in the shootout, but the Leicester City goalkeeper and Denmark bow out of the tournament as Croatia progress to the quarter-finals.
Mathias Jorgensen put the Danes ahead inside the first minute, before Mario Mandzukic levelled for the Croats just three minutes later.
City's No.1, who earned his 39th international cap, denied Ivan Rakitic twice in the first half and made a comfortable 78th-minute save from Ante Rebic.
The 31-year-old tipped Rebic's looping effort over the bar in the 13th minute of extra-time as game headed towards a penalty shootout.
Croatia, though, were awarded a penalty in the 114th minute when Rebic, through on goal, was brought down by Jorgensen.
Luka Modric stepped up, but the City stopper dived brilliantly to his left to deny the Real Madrid midfielder.
Tough to take. Gutted beyond words but so proud of this team! ❤️🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/VuwEwBOqsY
— Kasper Schmeichel (@kschmeichel1) July 1, 2018
In the shootout, Schmeichel's feet denied Milan Badelj before diving right to stop Josip Pivaric's spot-kick.
But the Danes missed three penalties and converted strikes from former Fox Andrej Kramaric, Modric and Rakitic set up Croatia's quarter-final with hosts Russia.
Meanwhile, Adrien Silva and Ricardo Pereira's Portugal were eliminated from the World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay on Saturday night.
Right-back Pereira, on his tournament debut, played the full 90 minutes while Silva was substituted off shortly after the hour mark.
Pepe's 55th-minute header cancelled out Edinson Cavani's opening goal, but the Paris Saint-Germain forward struck the winner on 62 minutes to ensure the South American side progressed into the quarter-finals.