Christian Eriksen has made his return to a major international tournament for Denmark – 17 months after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during the European Championships.

The 30-year-old lined up against Tunisia as his side got their World Cup campaign under way at the 40,000-seat Education City Stadium in Doha.

His first involvement saw him face a heavy tackle from Tunisia’s Aissa Laidouni.

He collapsed during Denmark’s Euro 2020 clash with Finland at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium and had to have a device fitted to regulate his heart.

It led to the end of his time at Serie A club Inter Milan, but he resumed his Premier League club career with Brentford last season and won a recall to the Denmark squad in March – scoring three minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The Manchester United midfielder was part of a team that sailed through its World Cup qualifying group by winning its first nine games – with clean sheets through the first eight.

He signed for United in the summer, becoming a key part of the club’s revival under new manager Erik ten Hag.

Christian Eriksen makes fairytale return to Denmark after cardiac arrest

Christian Eriksen makes Brentford debut eight months after cardiac arrest at Euro 2020

Christian Eriksen unveiled by Brentford but Thomas Frank doesn’t set date for his return

Speaking ahead of today’s match, Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand said Eriksen was the “heartbeat of the team”.

“He is a fantastic player but an even better person. It’s just a pleasure to work with Christian,” he said.

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