Christian Eriksen said he made his return to international football in the "perfect way" by scoring two minutes after coming on for Denmark on Saturday following a near-fatal heart attack last year.
Denmark lost 4-2 to the Netherlands in the international friendly, with Eriksen producing a stunning finish into the top corner in the 47th minute after he came on as a half-time substitute.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN SCORES TWO MINUTES INTO HIS RETURN TO INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL!!! pic.twitter.com/BztWOVLGqM
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 26, 2022
The 30-year-old playmaker collapsed on the pitch and received life-saving treatment during Denmark's Euro 2020 clash with Finland. Nearly eight months later, he joined Premier League club Brentford as a free agent in January.
"I was happy the ball came to me and of course, it was a lovely finish," Eriksen told Sky Sports. "To start the comeback in international football like this was the perfect way. I felt very welcome (by the Netherlands fans). I've been here before (for Ajax) for many years so of course, they know me, but it was a very heart-warming reception for sure. I'm looking forward to playing at the Qatar World Cup but there are a lot of games in between and I'm focused on them."
Just 9 months after Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest at the Euros, he's back playing for Denmark.
Incredible ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2j5mcloCbO— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 26, 2022
Denmark host Serbia in a friendly on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing)