Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen is conscious and stable after collapsing during an international friendly against Ukraine in Odense on Sunday, in an incident that revived memories of his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
The 34-year-old went down in the 65th minute after appearing to clutch his chest. Medical staff immediately entered the pitch as players from both teams gathered around him. The match was later abandoned, with Denmark leading 2-1.
The Danish Football Federation said Eriksen was taken to hospital for further examinations. Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen said Eriksen briefly lost consciousness but recovered quickly, adding that his implanted cardioverter-defibrillator worked as intended. Eriksen was reportedly able to walk to the ambulance and later sent a message reassuring teammates that he was feeling well.
Eriksen previously suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland in Copenhagen in June 2021. He was resuscitated on the pitch and later fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator before resuming his professional career.
Sunday’s incident occurred during Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine, a match involving two teams not qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Fans and players reacted emotionally as medics treated Eriksen, whose 2021 collapse remains one of football’s most shocking recent moments.
Further medical tests are expected to determine what caused the latest collapse and whether Eriksen can continue playing.
