Denmark’s Eriksen ‘Doing Well’ After Collapsing During Friendly

Denmark's Christian Eriksen between Ukraine's Tsygankov (L) and Ruslan Malinovskyi during the international soccer friendly match Denmark against Ukraine at Odense Stadium, in Odense, Denmark, 07 June 2026. (EPA)
Denmark's Christian Eriksen between Ukraine's Tsygankov (L) and Ruslan Malinovskyi during the international soccer friendly match Denmark against Ukraine at Odense Stadium, in Odense, Denmark, 07 June 2026. (EPA)
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Denmark’s Eriksen ‘Doing Well’ After Collapsing During Friendly

Denmark's Christian Eriksen between Ukraine's Tsygankov (L) and Ruslan Malinovskyi during the international soccer friendly match Denmark against Ukraine at Odense Stadium, in Odense, Denmark, 07 June 2026. (EPA)
Denmark's Christian Eriksen between Ukraine's Tsygankov (L) and Ruslan Malinovskyi during the international soccer friendly match Denmark against Ukraine at Odense Stadium, in Odense, Denmark, 07 June 2026. (EPA)

Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark's friendly against Ukraine but was later able to walk off the field, five years after suffering a cardiac arrest during the European Championship.

The 34-year-old former Manchester United midfielder, who has a type of pacemaker, fell to the ground in the 64th minute of the match in Odense on Sunday.

Medical staff rushed onto the pitch while players from both teams gathered around him to shield the scene from television or smartphone cameras.

The referee called off the match with Denmark leading 2-1 and Eriksen was subsequently taken to hospital, having been shielded by both sets of players as he walked off the pitch.

"Christian Eriksen is conscious and doing well under the circumstances," the Danish football association wrote on social media.

Eriksen has worn a type of pacemaker since he collapsed during the group stage game against Finland at Euro 2020, which was played in 2021.

That led to him spending more than six months away from football.

Denmark's team doctor Morten Boesen said Eriksen was "doing well".

"As I see it, the pacemaker responded as it should," he said.

"He was briefly unconscious, but regained consciousness very quickly, and we were quickly in contact with him.

"He will now undergo further examinations at the hospital to determine what caused the incident.

"We are in ongoing contact with him and the doctors at the hospital.

"But Christian is doing well and he asked me to send his regards to all the players and tell them that he was OK."

Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg praised the swift help his team-mate received.

"There was a throw-in and I walked calmly to the touchline. Then I turned around and I saw Christian collapse," he told Danish television station TV2.

"We know very well what that means and the reaction was extremely rapid and respectful."

Denmark coach Brian Riemer, who worked with Eriksen at Brentford, said it had been "an extremely shocking experience for everyone, the staff, the players and the opponents".

He said: "He's someone who counts a lot for me. You're closer to certain players than others and he was one of the ones I got close to at Brentford."

- 'Really awful' -

When Eriksen suffered his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, the match resumed, with Finland winning 1-0.

Eriksen continued his career seven months later at Brentford in the Premier League, having been forced to leave Inter Milan because of Italy's rules against playing with a pacemaker.

He went on to join Manchester United, where he won the FA Cup and League Cup, and now plays for Wolfsburg in Germany, where he has another year to run on his contract.

He also returned to international football, playing for Denmark at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Euro 2024 in Germany.

Denmark have not qualified for the World Cup in North America, which starts next week.

Former Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner said the latest incident had been "really awful" but was relieved Eriksen was conscious.

"The main thing is that he was able to walk off by himself because that makes you think he's doing OK given the circumstances," Bendtner told TV2.

"But these are terrible images that outweigh the rest of the evening.

"It's the second time it's happened and as a friend of Christian's, it's really awful."



Wrong Anthems Played at Asian Para Games after Mishap-marred Asian Games

The Asian Games closed on October 4. MOHD RASFAN / AFP
The Asian Games closed on October 4. MOHD RASFAN / AFP
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Wrong Anthems Played at Asian Para Games after Mishap-marred Asian Games

The Asian Games closed on October 4. MOHD RASFAN / AFP
The Asian Games closed on October 4. MOHD RASFAN / AFP

Wrong national anthems were played three times at the Asian Para Games in Japan's Nagoya this week, prompting the mayor to apologize just days after the city hosted the mishap-plagued Asian Games.

The Asian Para Games is taking place in the central Japanese hub city through Saturday, featuring around 4,000 athletes and officials in 18 sports.

Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa apologized on Wednesday for the latest error, which occurred despite officials' pledges to implement steps to prevent mistakes, including playing the correct national anthems.

"These things happened during the Asian Games, so of course the operations were reviewed and examined based on the lessons learned. The fact that it happened again is really just unacceptable," the mayor told a press conference.

On Monday, a Taiwanese athlete won a men's para taekwondo competition, but the Iranian anthem was played in its entirety, according to Nagoya officials at the mayor's press conference.

Officials realized their mistake after the ceremony, they said.

On the same day, the Iranian anthem was played again during a women's para taekwondo ceremony, where a Mongolian competitor was receiving the gold medal, according to the city.

The incorrect music was stopped after the Mongolian delegation pointed out the error.

Organizers then played the Mongolian anthem after the music was provided by the delegation, Nagoya officials said.

Separately on Monday, officials broadcast the South Korean anthem for about five seconds, instead of the Chinese one, before a sitting volleyball match between China and Iran.

"It is unacceptable, or rather, it's painful. I am very sorry about it," the mayor said, adding that he felt the tournament was otherwise progressing smoothly.

The Asian Games, which concluded in early October, faced heavy criticism for shortcomings ranging from inadequate accommodations for athletes to the playing of wrong national anthems.

On September 18, organizers played North Korea's national anthem for the South Korean hockey team.


Costa Rica Appoint Former Captain Ruiz as Head Coach

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Costa Rica Press Conference - Main Media Center, Doha, Qatar - November 22, 2022 Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz during a press conference REUTERS/John Sibley/File Photo
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Costa Rica Press Conference - Main Media Center, Doha, Qatar - November 22, 2022 Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz during a press conference REUTERS/John Sibley/File Photo
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Costa Rica Appoint Former Captain Ruiz as Head Coach

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Costa Rica Press Conference - Main Media Center, Doha, Qatar - November 22, 2022 Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz during a press conference REUTERS/John Sibley/File Photo
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Costa Rica Press Conference - Main Media Center, Doha, Qatar - November 22, 2022 Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz during a press conference REUTERS/John Sibley/File Photo

Costa Rica have appointed former captain Bryan Ruiz as head coach to lead the national team's campaign to qualify for the 2030 World Cup, the Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF) said on Wednesday.

Ruiz, 41, takes the job after two wins as ⁠interim coach, with ⁠Costa Rica beating Nicaragua 3-0 and Haiti 2-0 in the CONCACAF Nations League earlier this month, Reuters reported.

He succeeds Argentine Fernando Batista, ⁠who was dismissed in September, while Costa Rica missed out on the 2026 World Cup under former coach Miguel Herrera.

Former attacking midfielder Ruiz captained Costa Rica at three consecutive World Cups before retiring in 2022.

His ⁠coaching ⁠staff includes former Costa Rica internationals Wilmer Lopez, Christian Bolanos and Wardy Alfaro, the FCRF said.


Arsenal Manager: Saka Injury Doesn't Look Good

21 October 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka receives treatment during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at Allianz Arena. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
21 October 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka receives treatment during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at Allianz Arena. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
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Arsenal Manager: Saka Injury Doesn't Look Good

21 October 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka receives treatment during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at Allianz Arena. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
21 October 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka receives treatment during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at Allianz Arena. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he is worried about the severity of Bukayo Saka's quadriceps injury after the winger left the pitch in the 10th minute of Wednesday's 2-2 Champions League draw at Bayern Munich.

The 25-year-old clutched his left ⁠thigh after falling ⁠while attempting a pass and was replaced by Eberechi Eze.

"When a player has to come off with sharp pain ⁠it is never good news. We have to wait and see," Arteta told TNT Sports, according to Reuters.

"He doesn't look good at all, but we'll have to wait and see."

Saka missed seven games last season with an Achilles ⁠problem ⁠and had hamstring surgery in December 2024 which sidelined him for more than three months.

Arsenal can ill afford to lose another winger after Christos Tzolis picked up a hamstring injury on international duty.