Class act by player behind sport’s greatest comeback

One of sport’s greatest comeback stories stood in the Socceroos’ way. And the player at the heart of it was a class act at full-time.

Christian Eriksen waves to the fans after Denmark’s loss to France.

One of world sport’s greatest comebacks stood in Australia’s way in Qatar.

Last year Denmark star Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field during his nation’s Euro 2020 match against Finland.

He’d suffered a cardiac arrest and was technically dead for up to four minutes before being revived.

It was a horrific scene that shocked world football.

In those moments when he lay still on the pitch, there were fears he wouldn’t even survive, let alone play football again.

But just eight months later Eriksen was back on the pitch and has now signed for Manchester United.

The Socceroos denied Eriksen, with a 1-0 win, and the playmaker was all class.

Eriksen came up to Socceroos coach Graham Arnold after the game to congratulate his team. Arnold talked about how Eriksen “inspires” his team.

Christian Eriksen in hospital after the cardiac arrest.

Eriksen’s Sabrina Kvist Jensen is consoled by Simon Kjaer of Denmark while he received medical treatment.

At the final press conference before the game, Arnold was asked by a Danish journalist about Eriksen’s recovery after “lying dead” 18 months ago.

“Fantastic, inspirational,” Arnold said.

“Just marvellous, it’s truly great we’re going to be playing against him. It was such a special moment for Danish national team when he came back

“Seeing what he’s done has shown the world what a strong character he is. I don’t know him of course, but when I saw that sad moment occur I could see how everyone rallied behind him.”

The Socceroos team was in Kuwait for a World Cup qualifier and watching that game when it happened.

Christian Eriksen is evacuated after collapsing on the pitch. Picture: AFP

“It was horrifying,” Arnold said. “To see him now back and playing at this World Cup, it’s special to be playing against him.”

In Qatar, with a healthy Eriksen back in the side, Denmark were held 0-0 by Tunisia in their first match before being sunk on Saturday by Kylian Mbappe’s late winner as they went down 2-1.

In one of his first interviews after the incident, Eriksen said: ““I remember it all — except those minutes when I was in heaven.”

Denmark players react as Eriksen is treated by paramedics.

Back on the pitch in Qatar.

Before the World Cup, Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said Eriksen could control games for the Danes.

“When he plays, he has a fantastic way of taking decision [control] of the rhythm of the game, and controlling the game with his passing and vision,” Hjulmand said.

“Both on and off the pitch he gives us so much. It’s just a pleasure to work with him, you have to drag him off the pitch every day.”

Denmark’s Simon Kjaer said the squad they were thankful he was in Qatar.

“As a football player, he is probably one of the best I have ever seen. Just hanging around with the boys, I think he appreciates it more than us. We love having him by our side,” he said.

But Eriksen was keen to downplay the horrific incident after Denmark’s final game against Tunisia, where he played the full 90 minutes.

“It’s been quite a while. It’s more about me as a player now. I’m just happy to be back as a footballer,” said Eriksen.