Christian Eriksen marks his return to international football with a goal

Denmark’s Christian Eriksen scored on his return to international football after suffering cardiac arrest last year, in a 4-2 friendly loss against the Netherlands on Saturday.

Just over nine months, 287 days, after his collapse at Euro 2020, Eriksen made a remarkable return to the sport at Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena.

To loud applause from the Dutch crowd and coach Louis van Gaal in particular as he came off the bench, Eriksen raised his hands to the sky in thanks.

Two minutes after entering half-time, the Brentford midfielder scored a superb goal with a powerful shot into the top corner, his 37th goal in 110 appearances.

Eriksen was clearly delighted with his goal which cut the Dutch lead to 3-2.

He was congratulated by his teammates, many of whom were there when he went into cardiac arrest.

The 30-year-old collapsed in Denmark’s opening European Championship game against Finland in Copenhagen last June.

He had to be resuscitated on the field, lying unconscious for several minutes as the stunned crowd and millions of viewers around the world watched in horror.

Eriksen spent several days in hospital and had a pacemaker implanted to regulate his heartbeat.

He terminated his contract with Inter Milan by mutual consent in December, as Italian league rules prohibit players with pacemakers.

He was signed by Premier League side Brentford in January, making three appearances to date.

It was also fitting that he scored at the Amsterdam Arena, the home of Ajax.

Eriksen rose through the ranks of the Dutch team, making 162 appearances for the club and winning five trophies, including three successive league titles between 2011 and 2013.