"Football is too poetic" - Fans rejoice as Christian Eriksen scores Denmark’s first Euro 2024 goal 1,100 days after nerve-wracking collapse

Fans have reacted warmly to Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen scoring against Slovenia at Euro 2024 in Stuttgart just over three years after his collapse on the field due to a heart condition.

In a Euro 2020 game with Finland in Copenhagen three years ago, Eriksen collapsed after receiving a throw-in, with no player near him. It quickly transpired that the Dane suffered a cardiac arrest as Eriksen lay motionless on the turf.

A defibrillator revived the midfielder before he began his long road to recovery as the result of the game - a 1-0 loss to Finland - became secondary. Eriksen, though, managed a stunning recovery and returned to international football nine months later in a friendly.

He has played 20 times since then - including thrice at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Eriksen started for Denmark in their Euro 2024 opener - 1100 days after his collapse three years ago - and marked the occasion by opening the scoring with an opportunistic first-half strike.

Fans reacted to the heartwarming return to the Euros for Eriksen, with one tweeting:

"Football is too poetic."

Another chimed in:

"Every football fan must be happy for this guy."

Similar reactions followed, with Magical Modric tweeting:

"What a moment for him man! Especially on this stage!"

AFC Ajax posted:

"Eriksen celebrating his goal, what a moment for him!"

Eriksen was the standout player for the 1992 champions as they led at the break in Stuttgart in their Euro 2024 opener.

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Euro 2024: How has Christian Eriksen fared for Denmark?

Christian Eriktsen rejoinces after scoring for Denmark.

Christian Eriksen has been a standout performer for Denmark and one of the best midfielders of his generation. With his strike against Slovenia on Sunday, the 32-year-old - playing his 131st international game - has an impressive 42 goals and 31 assists.

Fifteen of those strikes have come in friendlies. Among his other 27 goals, seven have come in Euro qualifying and one in the finals - the one against Slovenia earlier in the day.

Christian Eriksen has also scored 11 times in FIFA World Cup qualifiers and once in the finals, with a further seven strikes coming in the UEFA Nations League. He's playing his sixth major international tournament, with his first coming at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.