Captain Eriksen scores on first Copenhagen return since cardiac arrest

30th Mar 2022 | Source: BBC

Christian Eriksen's goal was his 38th for Denmark

Christian Eriksen called it a "lovely feeling" as he scored and captained Denmark to a 3-0 win over over Serbia at Copenhagen's Parken Stadium - where he suffered a cardiac arrest last year.

Eriksen collapsed on the same pitch during Denmark's Euro 2020 opener with Finland in June.

There were emotional scenes on the Brentford midfielder's return.

"It's not the final chapter, it's just the beginning of the football career that continues," said the 30-year-old.

"It was a bit of a break for a few months, now it's getting the football back on track.

"It was the first time being captain and walking out here, I've been captain before, but not here. To walk out at the national stadium as captain for the first time was special.

"To lead the lads out was very emotional and something I can be proud of. It was a lovely feeling."

Joakim Maehle and Jesper Lindstrom also scored for Denmark as Eriksen grabbed his country's third with a fine strike from 22 yards in the 57th minute in the friendly victory.

Danish fans held up a banner before the game that said 'Welcome back Christian'

'Welcome back Christian'

Eriksen was back at the venue where he nearly lost his life 290 days ago.

In the first half of that match against Finland, and with no players around him, Eriksen collapsed having suffered cardiac arrest.

Team-mates and medics rushed to help him before he was revived and taken to hospital, with Eriksen later saying he had "died for five minutes".

He was subsequently fitted with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) - a type of pacemaker - so he could continue his career.

However, he had to leave his club Inter Milan as players with an ICD device are not allowed to play in Italy's Serie A, before the former Tottenham midfielder returned to the Premier League with Brentford.

He came on and scored during Denmark's 4-2 defeat by Netherlands on Saturday and was greeted by a rousing reception from the Danish fans in Copenhagen on Tuesday with a banner reading 'Welcome back Christian'.

Eriksen was involved in the build-up to Denmark's first goal as his left-wing corner was only partially headed clear with Maehle firing low into the net from 25 yards.

Lindstrom added a second when free in the penalty area early in the second half, before Eriksen gave the fans the moment they wanted by scoring a well-taken goal four minutes later.

Eriksen, who could feature for Denmark in the World Cup in Qatar later this year, received a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 79th minute.