Christian Eriksen scores with first touch for Denmark upon return to international football after cardiac arrest

By Ben Morse, CNN

Updated 1246 GMT (2046 HKT) March 27, 2022

Christian Eriksen looks on during the match between Netherlands and Denmark.

(CNN)Christian Eriksen marked his return to international football by scoring with his first touch for Denmark having suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Euro 2020.

The 30-year-old was brought on as a halftime substitute against the Netherlands in the two countries' international friendly, 287 days after collapsing during Denmark's game against Finland in Copenhagen last year. And just minutes later, he produced an excellent finish into the top left-hand corner with his first touch of the game. He could have added a second later on, but he agonizingly hit the post. Despite Denmark going onto to eventually lose 4-2 to the Netherlands in Amsterdam, Eriksen called his return «perfect.» Read MoreEriksen scores against the Netherlands. «I was happy the ball came to me and of course, it was a lovely finish,» Eriksen told Sky Sports. «To start the comeback in international football like this was the perfect way.»I felt very welcome (by the Netherlands fans). I've been here before (for Ajax) for many years so of course, they know me, but it was a very heartwarming reception for sure.«I'm looking forward to playing at the Qatar World Cup, but there are a lot of games in between and I'm focused on them.»The midfielder collapsed during Denmark's game against Finland in Copenhagen last year and received lifesaving treatment on the pitch. Eriksen was later fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) device, a type of pacemaker intended to prevent fatal cardiac arrests by discharging a jolt to restore regular heart rhythm.The 30-year-old signed as a free agent for Premier League