Football fans were shocked as Denmark star Christian Eriksen suddenly collapsed on the pitch during the 65th minute of an international friendly against Ukraine, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The incident immediately gave flashbacks of his terrifying cardiac arrest during the European Championship in 2021, raising concerns among players, officials, and supporters around the world.
Eriksen, who previously played for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 clash against Finland in Copenhagen in June 2021 and was later fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
Videos from the match showed the Danish midfielder lying on the turf as anxious players gathered around him, while Ukraine’s medical staff urgently signaled for assistance.
Christian Eriksen remains in a stable condition
Thankfully, fears were eased shortly afterward. Around 10 minutes after the incident, the Danish Football Federation shared an update on X, confirming that Eriksen was conscious and in stable condition.
“Christian is doing well and left the field himself. As I see it, the pacemaker is beating as it should,” Denmark team physician Morten Boesen said
He further revealed that Eriksen would undergo additional medical tests at the hospital, where doctors will assess the cause of the incident and determine what led to his collapse.
“Now he needs to be examined further in the hospital to find out what caused the incident,” Boesen added “We are in constant contact with him and the doctors at the hospital. But Christian is doing well, and he asked me to greet all the players and say that he was OK.”
Denmark vs Ukraine friendly was abondoned
With concerns over Eriksen’s health taking priority, the referee decided to abandon the match in the 79th minute, with Denmark leading Ukraine 2-1.
The incident inevitably drew comparisons to Eriksen’s collapse during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland in Copenhagen. Following that cardiac arrest, he was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and made a remarkable return to professional football less than a year later.
The Danish midfielder resumed his career with Brentford before moving to Manchester United, and in 2025, he joined German side Wolfsburg.
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