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Christian Eriksen could not hide his delight after scoring on his return to international football, despite Denmark’s 4-2 loss away to the Netherlands on Saturday, saying he “felt like a footballer” again.
Following his cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening group game against Finland at Euro 2020, Eriksen found the net within two minutes of coming onto the pitch to joyfully end a 287-day absence.
He almost scored a second in his return match, rattling the frame of the goal from long distance.
Yet simply being on the pitch for Denmark provided satisfaction for Eriksen.
“I felt like a footballer again. I have been away internationally for so long,” he told NOS.
“I’m just very happy to be back. To also score is that little bit extra, it gives a wonderful feeling. I was looking forward to it.”
A warm reception for the former Tottenham and Inter man was inevitable, but playing in the city and stadium where he made his name – having spent five years at Ajax – made for a particularly special moment, Eriksen sharing an embrace with former Ajax team-mate Daley Blind, who continues to play with a heart defibrillator.
For Eriksen, the only thing that could have added to the occasion would have been a second goal.
“It’s great that I scored, but I would rather have scored two. It’s a shame the ball didn’t go in,” he said.
“I had wonderful years here and I remembered where the goal was here in the Arena.”
Denmark will finish their international window when they host Serbia on Tuesday.
