Christian Eriksen has made a sensational return to international football with a goal two minutes into his first game for Denmark since suffering a cardiac arrest last summer.

 

The Brentford midfielder scored with his first touch after coming on as a second half substitute in the 4-2 defeat away to the Netherlands on Saturday.

 

As he trotted on to the pitch, he received a standing ovation from much of the Johan Cruyff Arena.

 

The 30-year-old scored Denmark's second goal to put his side back in the contest at 3-2 when he brilliantly swept in Andreas Olsen's low cross.

 

Steven Bergwijn, Nathan Ake and Memphis Depay's penalty had the hosts 3-1 ahead after Jannik Vestergaard had briefly made it 1-1 midway through the first half.

Bergwijn made it 4-2 with 19 minutes left and Eriksen hit the post soon after.

Eriksen 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 month and won a recall to the Denmark squad.

 

After winning his 110th international cap, Eriksen told Sky Sports: "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 heart-warming reception for sure.

 

"I was happy the ball came to me and of course, it was a lovely finish. To start the comeback in international football like this was the perfect way.

 

"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."

 

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand enjoyed the comeback, too.

 

"It's always a pleasure to see Christian Eriksen play football," he told Dutch broadcaster NOS.

 

Hjulmand said he went through some tactics with Eriksen before sending him on.

 

Then he had a simple message: "I said, 'Enjoy it and welcome back'."