Denmark game overshadowed by Eriksen collapse as Finns win 1-0
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – A famous Finland victory in their first game at the finals of a major tournament was eclipsed by near-tragedy when Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed during their Euro 2020 match and required emergency medical treatment on the pitch.
The Finns went on to win their Group B opener 1-0 thanks to a Joel Pohjanpalo goal, but the game will go down in history as the night the collapse of one of Denmark’s greatest playmakers threw the footballing world into shock for over an hour.
Having dominated the game for the opening 42 minutes, the 29-year-old collapsed as Denmark took an innocuous throwin, sinking to the ground with his eyes open.
His teammates Joakim Maehle, Thomas Delaney and Martin Braithwaite beckoned for assistance and Eriksen was given CPR by a medical team as the Danes formed a ring around him before he was carried off on a stretcher and both teams left the pitch.
The game was stopped for a prolonged period, the crowd’s stunned silence only breaking when it was revealed that Eriksen, who plays for Inter Milan, had been transported to hospital.
The Finnish fans began chanting “Christian” and the Danes responded with “Eriksen” as the 16,000 in attendance waited for more news, and to see if the game would be resumed.
Further good news that Eriksen was conscious and communicating was announced to jubilation in the stadium, but when the idea of restarting the game was floated it came form a most unlikely source – Eriksen himself.
“We have been in contact with him, and the players have spoken with Christian. That’s the good news. He is doing well and they are playing the match for Christian,” Danish FA Director
Peter Mueller said.
The players returned to the pitch and went through their warm-up drills for a second time but the Danes were clearly affected by the trauma of Eriksen’s collapse, with some wiping away tears and many hugs being exchanged.
Pohjanpalo popped up against the run of play to head the winner on the hour mark with his side’s only attempt of the game before celebrating in a restrained fashion on the side of the field where Eriksen had collapsed.
Pierre Emil Hojbjerg missed a penalty for Denmark but it was a night when football did not matter, with Eriksen being treated at a hospital about 1 km. away.
Belgium, one of the tournament favorites, cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Russia with two goals from Romelu
Lukaku and one from Thomas Meunier to confirm their status.
The Belgians, top of the FIFA rankings, went ahead after only 10 minutes through Lukaku and doubled the score before the break through Meunier.
Lukaku scored his second of the night two minutes from the end – extending his record tally for his country to 62 goals.
Belgium’s obvious superiority was evident throughout the Group B encounter in St. Petersburg, and victory for Roberto Martinez’s team came without Kevin De Bruyne, out with injury, and only a cameo substitute appearance from captain Eden Hazard, another of the team’s brilliant stars.
In Saturday’s early game, striker Kieffer Moore scored a headed equalizer from a rare chance as surprise 2016 semi-finalists Wales snatched a 1-1 draw against wasteful Switzerland in their Group A clash at the Baku Olympic Stadium.
Moore, who had a first half opportunity expertly saved by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, guided the ball into the net on 74 minutes from a Joe Morrell delivery as he ghosted into space left by the static Swiss defense.