Mathias Jorgensen gave Denmark the lead inside a minute after firing home from a long throw into the box, but Croatia equalised three minutes later after Denmark failed to clear and Mario Mandzukic turned the ball inAfter 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.
Croatia captain Luka Modric stepped up but it was well saved by Kasper Schmeichel in the Denmark goal.
Christian Eriksen, Milan Badelj, Lasse Schone, Josip Pivaric and Nicolai Jorgensen all missed in shootout.
Danijel Subasic saved three spot-kicks before Ivan Rakitic sealed Croatia's quarter-final place on Sunday.
Croatia now face Russia for a place in the last-four after the host nation shocked Spain in their last-16 tie
Goalkeepers were on top to the delight of Peter Schmeichel who was on his feet to roar his approval at the heroics of his son Kasper.
Perhaps the Schmeichels sensed a revenge for Euro 96 when Big Pete was made to look a bit silly by a chip from Davor Suker as Denmark lost their grip on the European title.
Schmeichel Jnr saved three penalties in total, one from Luka Modric, four minutes from the end of extra-time, and two more in the shootout which followed.
Croatia booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals of the World Cup with a dramatic victory over Denmark
Mathias Jorgensen put Denmark into a first-minute lead in Nizhny Novgorod after firing home following a long throw
The defender's shot squirmed beyond Croatian defenders and goalkeeeper Danijel Subasic, who failed to stop it creeping in
Jorgensen is mobbed by his team-mates after netting the first goal from open play Croatia have conceded at the World Cup
Croatia were level within three minutes, however, after Mario Mandzukic turned home from close range on Sunday night
The Juventus forward (left) fired past Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from close range after a defensive mix-up
Croatia captain Luka Modric and Co celebrate with Mandzukic after he restored parity early in the last-16 showdown
With seven minutes to go in extra-time, Ante Rebic rounded the goalkeeper but was brought down for a penalty by Jorgensen
In front of his dad Peter, who was watching in the stands, Schmeichel guessed correctly and saved Modric's spot-kick
The Croatia captain sinks to the floor after missing the glorious opportunity to secure his side a spot in the last-eight
The Denmark goalkeeper is mobbed by his team-mates after keeping their World Cup campaign alive with the save
After 120 minutes of action in Nizhny Novgorod Danijel Subasic was the hero for Croatia, saving three penalties in shootout
Modric attoned for his earlier miss, beating Schmeichel at the second attempt as Croatia booked their spot in the last-eight
Lasse Schone was one of the unlucky ones for Denmark, missing from 12 yards as his nation crashed out of the World Cup
Barcelona and Croatia star Ivan Rakitic sends Schmeichel the wrong way to ensure his side will face Russia in the last-eight
The Croatia squad mob their heroic goalkeeper after he saved three penalties to help them seal their spot in the quarter-finals
But his brilliance was matched by Danijel Subasic, who made three penalty saves and gave Ivan Rakitic the chance to send Croatia into a World Cup quarter-final against hosts Russia in Sochi.
Rakitic obliged, which was something a surprise because the standard of the penalty taking until that had been so low.
'Kasper did everything,' said Denmark boss Age Hareide. 'Our best three penalty takers missed and I am so sorry for Kasper and the whole team. We made a wonderful effort. It's the brutality of football.'
Schmeichel said: 'It's a strange feeling. A huge disappointment but also huge pride. I don't feel let down. Anybody who is brave enough to stand up and take a penalty is a hero in my book. With the pressure they're under, if you have the b***s to take that you have my respect.
'We win and lose as a team. I'm proud to be part of it. And we'll be back. We'll use this in the future.'
Six saved penalties was firmly in keeping with the finishing on display during the rest of the contest.
MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS AND PENALTIES
Croatia (4-2-3-1): Subasic; Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic (Pivaric 81); Rakitic, Brozovic (Kovacic 71); Rebic, Modric, Perisic (Kramaric 97); Mandzukic (Badelj 108)
Subs not used: Livakovic, Corluka, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, Pjaca, Lovre Kalinic
Goals: Mandzukic 4
Denmark (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Knudsen, Kjaer, M Jorgensen, Dalsgaard; Christensen (Schone 45), Delaney (Krohn-Dehli 98), Eriksen; Poulsen, Cornelius (N Jorgensen 66), Braithwaite (Sisto 105)
Subs not used: Lossl, Vestergaard, Kvist, Dolberg, Fischer, Larsen, Lerager, Ronnow.
Goals: M Jorgensen 1
Yellow cards: M Jorgensen
Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)
PENALTY SHOOTOUT:
Christian Eriksen (Denmark) - Missed
Milan Badelj (Croatia) - Missed
Simon Kjaer (Denmark) - Scored
Andrej Kramaric (Croatia) - Scored
Michael Krohn-Dehli (Denmark) - Scored
Luka Modric (Croatia) - Scored
Lasse Schone (Denmark) - Missed
Josip Pivaric (Croatia) - Saved
Nicolai Jorgensen - (Denmark) Saved
Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) - Scored
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