Denmark’s Christian Eriksen scores minutes into his 1st game since suffering a cardiac arrest

 

 

Christian Eriksen had a remarkable comeback for Denmark against the Netherlands on Saturday, scoring seconds after coming on as a replacement. It was his first international encounter since suffering a cardiac arrest during the European Championship in June.

 

The Netherlands won the wide-open encounter 4-2, but the crowd at the stadium where Eriksen initially rose to prominence for Ajax seemed unconcerned about the result of the friendly.

 

“To be back here is always beautiful,” Eriksen, speaking Dutch, told Dutch broadcaster NOS. “I had many beautiful years here.”

He said he still thinks often of the night he collapsed in Copenhagen against Finland.

“It’s part of me. It’s part of the world,” he said.

 

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand enjoyed the comeback too.

“It’s always a pleasure to see Christian Eriksen play football,” he said.

 

Eriksen, who is wearing an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, received a pat on the back from Hjulmand, a handshake from Memphis Depay, and a standing ovation from the majority of the Johan Cruyff Arena as he trotted onto the pitch to make his return to international competition at the start of the second half.