Christian Eriksen scored a brilliant goal as he made a triumphant return to the Parken Stadium where he almost died of a heart attack at Euro 2020 last June, netting Denmark's third in a 3-0 friendly win over Serbia on Tuesday.
Eriksen, who scored with his first touch after coming on as a substitute against Netherlands in Amsterdam on Saturday, was guaranteed a warm welcome at the stadium that fell into shocked silence when he suffered a cardiac arrest in a Euro 2020 group game against Finland.
Joakim Maehle gave the Danes the lead with a thumping deflected drive in the 15th minute and Jesper Lindstroem added a second eight minutes after the break as the home side enjoyed the better chances.
Captaining the team, Eriksen gave the vocal Danish crowd what they wanted in the 57th minute, cutting onto his right foot and firing home a fizzing drive.
Stephen Kenny makes six changes for Lithuania friendly
Ireland under-21s boost qualification hopes with brilliant win in Sweden
‘It didn’t affect me in the slightest’: Keith Andrews brushes off Roy Keane comment
Ken Early: Optimism is football's sweetest illusion, so Ireland should enjoy while it lasts
Still building his fitness after restarting his club career at Brentford in February, the crowd chanted Eriksen's name as he was replaced in the 80th minute with keeper Kasper Schmeichel kissing Eriksen on the head as he handed over the captain's armband.
“This evening ranks very, very high. To be back in Parken, to score a goal, and that reception – it’s something that gives chills,” Eriksen told broadcaster Kanal 5 before being dragged away by Schmeichel to celebrate in front of the fans.
Having failed to register a single shot on target until the 88th minute, Serbia will be hoping that they can improve their wayward shooting before both sides head for the World Cup finals in Qatar, which begin in November.
