Denmark controlled the pace and the ball for most of the game, but did not score until a free kick in the 61st minute after Maiken Pape was taken down at the top of the box as she charged the goal.

New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon got her hand on the ball as she leaped to make a save, but was not able to block Pedersen's shot into the top-left corner.

Paaske Sorensen added another five minutes later, using her head to knock in a free kick that Pedersen sent across the penalty box.

The game got off to a slow start, with neither team able to string together more than a few passes for the first 15 minutes. But Denmark took control soon after, repeatedly attacking with long passes toward the goal.

Denmark's best chance of scoring in the first half came in the 18th minute, when Paaske Sorensen's long-range shot ricocheted off the crossbar. The midfielder's leaping header seven minutes later sailed over the goal.

New Zealand, which had three teenagers on its starting roster, was unable to create any significant offensive threat and the game was mostly played in the Kiwis' half of the field.

Like in its 5-0 loss to Brazil, New Zealand successfully defended its quicker opponents for the first part of the game. But the team eventually ran out of gas and gave up the late goals.

Denmark plays Brazil on Wednesday in a must-win game to have any chance of advancing to the quarterfinals. New Zealand is eliminated and takes on China.