Christian Eriksen scored for Denmark in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024 on Sunday, nearly three years to the day since he practically died in his staff’s opening sport on the final match. The Manchester United midfielder fired his staff forward on 17 minutes in entrance of a Stuttgart stadium stuffed overwhelmingly by Denmark supporters, however Erik Janza’s late deflected effort earned Slovenia some extent of their first match on the Euros since 2000. Denmark go on to play England of their second Group C sport in Frankfurt on Thursday, whereas Slovenia proceed their marketing campaign towards Serbia in Munich. Denmark reached the semi-finals of the pandemic-delayed Euro 2020 match earlier than dropping to England, driving a wave of emotion triggered by Eriksen’s collapse in Copenhagen, which left him needing to be resuscitated on the pitch after he suffered a cardiac arrest.
He finally resumed his profession after being fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, making his return to worldwide responsibility 9 months later and showing on the 2022 World Cup.
On the eve of Denmark’s Euro 2024 opener, Eriksen mentioned the harrowing incident is now not one thing he routinely thinks about, intent as an alternative on focusing serving to his nation make one other deep run in Germany.
Slovenia midfielder Timi Max Elsnik admitted there could be few surprises for both facet after they completed simply behind Denmark on head-to-head report of their qualifying group.
Extremely-rated Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko practically caught Kasper Schmeichel out with a robust long-range drive, however moments later it was Denmark who struck.
A fast throw-in was flicked on by Jonas Wind into the stride of Eriksen, who crashed a low shot into the far nook to present the Danes the lead.
With Sesko being carefully monitored by the Danish defence, Andraz Sporar didn’t benefit from a gap within the backline as he miscontrolled a bouncing ball ahead when he regarded by way of on aim.
Sesko nearly handed Denmark a second as he hacked a clearance in his personal space towards his team-mate, Jan Oblak watching on in hope because the ball skipped simply huge of his aim.
Eriksen blazed over simply earlier than half-time after extra glorious work from the energetic Wind, with Slovenia defender Jaka Bijol near heading into his personal internet after a Denmark set-piece early within the second half.
Oblak produced a courageous cease to forestall Rasmus Hojlund doubling the benefit, blocking the United ahead’s effort from point-blank vary to maintain his staff in it.
Adam Gnezda Cerin glanced a cross huge as Slovenia pressed for an equaliser and Sporar stabbed huge as he lunged to satisfy a free-kick.
Sesko was desperately unfortunate to see his rasping drive cannon again off the publish, however Slovenia had been quickly degree.
Denmark couldn’t correctly clear a nook and Janza’s thumping half-volley from simply outdoors the penalty field dismissed Morten Hjulmand to go away Schmeichel stranded.
Sporar had the prospect to grab victory for Slovenia after bursting previous Jannik Vestergaard, however he powered into the side-netting as Schmeichel appeared to get the faintest of touches.
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