Denmark’s Eriksen collapses during Ukraine friendly
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COPENHAGEN: Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine on Sunday, five years after suffering a cardiac arrest during the European Championships.
However, the Danish team football doctor said that Eriksen is in “good spirits”.
The 34-year-old has worn a pacemaker on his heart since he collapsed during the group stage game against Finland at Euro 2020, which was played in 2021.
That led to him spending more than six months away from football.
On Sunday, he fell to the ground in the 64th minute of the match, with Denmark leading 2-1 at the time.
Denmark’s team doctor Morten Boesen said Eriksen had been “briefly unconscious” but “the pacemaker responded as it should”.
Boesen was able to offer a positive update early on Monday morning.
Medical staff rushed onto the pitch to give Eriksen assistance, while players gathered around him to shield the scene from television or smartphone cameras.
The referee called off the match a quarter of an hour later.
“I spoke to Christian this morning, and he is doing well,” he said in comments posted on Instagram. “He is with his family and in good spirits.
“The expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home.”
He said he had been in contact with Eriksen’s cardiologist in Denmark, who would be able to analyse the data from the pacemaker.
When Eriksen suffered his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, the match resumed, with Finland winning 1-0.
ODEGAARD ON TARGET
In Sunday’s other friendly, Martin Odegaard scored a second-half equaliser as Norway came from behind to force a 1-1 draw with African giants Morocco.
Arsenal captain Odegaard swept in an emphatic finish from Oscar Bobb’s low cross on 75 minutes in Harrison, New Jersey, to cancel out Brahim Diaz’s early goal for Morocco.
Morocco made history four years ago by becoming the first team from Africa ever to reach the last four of a World Cup, eventually losing a tense semi-final to France.
The Atlas Lions are targeting another deep run at the 2026 World Cup, where they open their Group ‘C’ campaign against Brazil next Saturday before further first round matches with Scotland and Haiti.
Against fellow World Cup qualifiers Norway on Sunday, the Moroccans suggested they could well be equipped to mount a deep run at the 2026 finals.
Norway kick off their tournament against Group I opponents Iraq on June 16 before taking on Senegal and France.
In San Diego, two goals from Jhon Arias gave Colombia a 2-0 win over Jordan in their last tune-up match ahead of the World Cup.
James Rodrguez slipped the ball through for Arias to open the scoring in the 41st minute. Palmeiras midfielder Arias initially stumbled over the ball before regaining his composure to beat Jordanian goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.
Arias scored his second 10 minutes into the second half when he headed in a superb cross from Santiago Arias.
Jordan were never able to get into the match and midfielder Amer Jamous was sent off in stoppage time after picking up a second yellow card.
Colombia, who failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2022, begin their Group ‘K ‘campaign against Uzbekistan on June 17 in Mexico City.
Jordan face Austria in Group ‘J’ on June 16 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Croatia substitute Mario Pasalic grabbed a stoppage-time winner to edge neighbours Slovenia 2-1 Sunday and head to the World Cup on a winning note.
Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026
