Christian Eriksen said he enjoyed the “perfect” return to international football as he scored two minutes after coming on for Denmark in their 4-2 friendly defeat by the Netherlands.
Eriksen, 30, was playing for his country for the first time since his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 last June.
The midfielder, who has since joined Premier League club Brentford, produced a terrific finish into the top corner.
“I was happy the ball came to me,” said Eriksen.
“I thought it was a lovely finish and to start my international comeback like this is a perfect way.”
Eriksen could have had a second goal when he turned outside the area, but his curling strike hit a post.
Tottenham’s Steven Bergwijn did score twice for the Netherlands, with Nathan Ake and Memphis Depay also on the scoresheet, while Jannik Vestergaard netted Denmark’s first goal.
But it was Eriksen who was the centre of attention – coming on to win his 110th cap as a second-half substitute to huge cheers from the crowd at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, home of his former club Ajax.
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal was among those to clap Eriksen, who applauded in return.
And just two minutes later he sent his team-mates and fans into raptures, rattling home a confident finish from Andreas Skov Olsen’s cutback.
“It has always been lovely place and today is an even more special place for me to play my first international game in this stadium,” added Eriksen, despite someone throwing a coin towards him during his post-match interview.
Denmark next face Serbia in a friendly on Tuesday (17:00 BST).
Eriksen’s perfect return
Eriksen was fitted with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) – a type of pacemaker – after his cardiac arrest against Finland during Euro 2020 nine months ago.
He joined Brentford on a six-month deal after his release by Inter Milan, who agreed to cancel his contract in December because players who have ICDs cannot compete in Serie A.
The Premier League does not the same regulations, and the Dane and made his first appearance for the Bees as a substitute in a defeat by Newcastle on 26 February.
The former Tottenham midfielder was given a standing ovation from fans and players on both sides when he came on after 52 minutes.
He said afterwards: “If you take away the result, I’m one happy man. To go through what I’ve been through, being back is a wonderful feeling.”
Eriksen played the full game for Brentford in wins against Norwich City and Burnley before receiving his Denmark recall.
The Danes qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by finishing top of their group with 27 points from 10 games – four points clear of runners-up Scotland.
And Eriksen will hope to be part of the squad heading to the World Cup after capping his first game back with a sensational goal – and a man of the match award.
“I am looking forward to playing in Qatar but there is a lot of games in between,” he added.
Line-ups
Netherlands
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 1Flekken
- 3de Ligt
- 4van Dijk
- 5AkéSubstituted forMalaciaat 76′minutes
- 22Dumfries
- 20Koopmeiners
- 21de Jong
- 17Blind
- 11Berghuis
- 7BergwijnSubstituted forMalenat 77′minutes
- 10DepaySubstituted forDanjumaat 77′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Hateboer
- 6Malacia
- 8Wijnaldum
- 9Danjuma
- 12Wijndal
- 13Krul
- 14Klaassen
- 15de Roon
- 16Clasie
- 18Malen
- 19Weghorst
- 23Drommel
Denmark
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Schmeichel
- 2Andersen
- 4Nelsson
- 3VestergaardBooked at 36minsSubstituted forBruun Larsenat 77′minutes
- 14BahSubstituted forKristensenat 45′minutes
- 23Højbjerg
- 8DelaneySubstituted forNørgaardat 24′minutes
- 5MaehleSubstituted forat 88′minutes
- 18LindstrømSubstituted forEriksenat 45′minutes
- 20PoulsenSubstituted forSkov Olsenat 45′minutes
- 19WindSubstituted forDolbergat 58′minutes
Substitutes
- 6Maxsø
- 7Jensen
- 9Bruun Larsen
- 10Eriksen
- 11Skov Olsen
- 12Dolberg
- 13Kristensen
- 15Nørgaard
- 16Iversen
- 17Billing
- 21Cornelius
- 22Rønnow
Live Text
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Match ends, Netherlands 4, Denmark 2.
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Second Half ends, Netherlands 4, Denmark 2.
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Donyell Malen (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Denmark).
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Corner, Denmark. Conceded by Tyrell Malacia.
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Corner, Denmark. Conceded by Mark Flekken.
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Attempt saved. Andreas Skov Olsen (Denmark) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rasmus Kristensen.
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Foul by Daley Blind (Netherlands).
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Kasper Dolberg (Denmark) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Joakim Maehle went off injured after Denmark had used all subs.
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Offside, Netherlands. Tyrell Malacia tries a through ball, but Arnaut Danjuma is caught offside.
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Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands).
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Kasper Dolberg (Denmark) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Steven Berghuis (Netherlands) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Tyrell Malacia.
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Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Denmark).
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Substitution, Denmark. Jacob Bruun Larsen replaces Jannik Vestergaard.
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Substitution, Netherlands. Donyell Malen replaces Steven Bergwijn.
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Substitution, Netherlands. Arnaut Danjuma replaces Memphis Depay.
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Substitution, Netherlands. Tyrell Malacia replaces Nathan Aké.
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Christian Eriksen scored his 37th international goal two minutes after coming off the benchChristian Eriksen said he enjoyed the “perfect” return to international football as he scored two minutes after coming on for Denmark in their 4-2 friendly defeat by the Netherlands.Eriksen, 30, was playing for his country for the first time since his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 last June.The midfielder, who has since joined Premier League club Brentford, produced a terrific finish into the top corner.”I was happy the ball came to me,” said Eriksen.”I thought it was a lovely finish and to start my international comeback like this is a perfect way.”Eriksen could have had a second goal when he turned outside the area, but his curling strike hit a post.Tottenham’s Steven Bergwijn did score twice for the Netherlands, with Nathan Ake and Memphis Depay also on the scoresheet, while Jannik Vestergaard netted Denmark’s first goal.But it was Eriksen who was the centre of attention – coming on to win his 110th cap as a second-half substitute to huge cheers from the crowd at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, home of his former club Ajax.Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal was among those to clap Eriksen, who applauded in return.And just two minutes later he sent his team-mates and fans into raptures, rattling home a confident finish from Andreas Skov Olsen’s cutback.”It has always been lovely place and today is an even more special place for me to play my first international game in this stadium,” added Eriksen, despite someone throwing a coin towards him during his post-match interview.Denmark next face Serbia in a friendly on Tuesday (17:00 BST).Eriksen’s perfect returnEriksen was given a good reception as he entered the field in the second halfEriksen was fitted with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) – a type of pacemaker – after his cardiac arrest against Finland during Euro 2020 nine months ago.He joined Brentford on a six-month deal after his release by Inter Milan, who agreed to cancel his contract in December because players who have ICDs cannot compete in Serie A.The Premier League does not the same regulations, and the Dane and made his first appearance for the Bees as a substitute in a defeat by Newcastle on 26 February.The former Tottenham midfielder was given a standing ovation from fans and players on both sides when he came on after 52 minutes.He said afterwards: “If you take away the result, I’m one happy man. To go through what I’ve been through, being back is a wonderful feeling.”Eriksen played the full game for Brentford in wins against Norwich City and Burnley before receiving his Denmark recall.The Danes qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by finishing top of their group with 27 points from 10 games – four points clear of runners-up Scotland.And Eriksen will hope to be part of the squad heading to the World Cup after capping his first game back with a sensational goal – and a man of the match award.”I am looking forward to playing in Qatar but there is a lot of games in between,” he added.Christian Eriksen was named man of the match for his second-half performanceLine-upsNetherlandsFormation 3-4-1-21Flekken3de Ligt4van Dijk5Aké22Dumfries20Koopmeiners21de Jong17Blind11Berghuis7Bergwijn10Depay1Flekken3de Ligt4van Dijk5AkéSubstituted forMalaciaat 76’minutes22Dumfries20Koopmeiners21de Jong17Blind11Berghuis7BergwijnSubstituted forMalenat 77’minutes10DepaySubstituted forDanjumaat 77’minutesSubstitutes2Hateboer6Malacia8Wijnaldum9Danjuma12Wijndal13Krul14Klaassen15de Roon16Clasie18Malen19Weghorst23DrommelDenmarkFormation 3-4-2-11Schmeichel2Andersen4Nelsson3Vestergaard14Bah23Højbjerg8Delaney5Maehle18Lindstrøm20Poulsen19Wind1Schmeichel2Andersen4Nelsson3VestergaardBooked at 36minsSubstituted forBruun Larsenat 77’minutes14BahSubstituted forKristensenat 45’minutes23Højbjerg8DelaneySubstituted forNørgaardat 24’minutes5MaehleSubstituted forat 88’minutes18LindstrømSubstituted forEriksenat 45’minutes20PoulsenSubstituted forSkov Olsenat 45’minutes19WindSubstituted forDolbergat 58’minutesSubstitutes6Maxsø7Jensen9Bruun Larsen10Eriksen11Skov Olsen12Dolberg13Kristensen15Nørgaard16Iversen17Billing21Cornelius22RønnowLive TextMatch ends, Netherlands 4, Denmark 2.Second Half ends, Netherlands 4, Denmark 2.Donyell Malen (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Denmark).Corner, Denmark. Conceded by Tyrell Malacia.Corner, Denmark. Conceded by Mark Flekken.Attempt saved. Andreas Skov Olsen (Denmark) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rasmus Kristensen.Foul by Daley Blind (Netherlands).Kasper Dolberg (Denmark) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Joakim Maehle went off injured after Denmark had used all subs.Offside, Netherlands. Tyrell Malacia tries a through ball, but Arnaut Danjuma is caught offside.Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands).Kasper Dolberg (Denmark) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Attempt missed. Steven Berghuis (Netherlands) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Tyrell Malacia.Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Foul by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Denmark).Substitution, Denmark. Jacob Bruun Larsen replaces Jannik Vestergaard.Substitution, Netherlands. Donyell Malen replaces Steven Bergwijn.Substitution, Netherlands. Arnaut Danjuma replaces Memphis Depay.Substitution, Netherlands. Tyrell Malacia replaces Nathan Aké.Who were the greatest number 10s? Ranking the best players who wore the numberBecoming Batman: Robert Pattinson reveals all about taking on the iconic role