Eriksen flops for dismal Denmark on major tournament return

DOHA: Christian Eriksen’s Denmark came to the World Cup tipped as dark horses after reaching the semifinals of last year’s European Championship but have exited with barely a whimper after a 1-0 defeat to Australia. Eriksen’s return to the World Cup had been highly anticipated after a good spell for both club and country following a dramatic comeback from a cardiac arrest. The playmaker collapsed on the pitch against Finland in June 2021 during the delayed Euro 2020 tournament and had to be resuscitated in front of a stunned Copenhagen crowd and a television audience of millions.

On the way to hospital he told his wife Sabrina that he would probably never play football again but he fought his way back to fitness. The 30-year-old had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted, which meant he had to quit Inter Milan due to rules in Italy. But he signed for Brentford in the Premier League and also resumed his international career, subsequently joining Manchester United.

Denmark were favorites to qualify from Group D alongside world champions France, whom they beat home and away in the Nations League. Before their opening goalless draw with Tunisia, assistant coach Morten Wieghorst said Eriksen was “even better than he was before the accident.” But he was underwhelming in a team that lacked the spark that carried them to the semifinals at last year’s Euros. “Christian is a superhero but he performs with the team,” said Denmark captain Simon Kjaer.