‘He was gone’: Denmark doctor confirms Eriksen suffered CARDIAC ARREST in Euro 2020 pitch collapse, needed defibrillator

Christian Eriksen’s mid-game collapse was caused by a cardiac arrest and the star was “gone” before being revived with a defibrillator, the Denmark team doctor has said.

Eriksen crashed to the turf towards the end of the first half of the Euro 2020 game against Finland in Copenhagen on Saturday.

The 29-year-old received immediate medical treatment as he lay prone and motionless on the pitch, while teammates and fans looked on with distress.

The Inter Milan midfielder was eventually taken off the pitch on a stretcher after regaining consciousness and is said to be recovering well in hospital.

At a press conference on Sunday, Denmark doctor Morten Boesen gave more details on the terrifying ordeal which shocked the world of football.

“We don't have an explanation for what happened,” Boesen was quoted as saying.

“I didn't see it live, I saw it on the screen after it happened. It was a cardiac arrest. He was gone and we did cardiac resuscitation.

“How close were we [to losing him]? I don't know. We got him back after 1 defib. That's quite fast. The details, I'm not a cardiologist, so I will leave to the experts.”

Boesen added that the tests conducted on Eriksen so far "look fine" and that "we don't have an explanation why it happened."

The match was suspended following the incident, but resumed at the request of both sets of players after Eriksen had reportedly FaceTimed his teammates from hospital to assure them he was OK. 

The remaining four minutes of the first half were completed before a five-minute break and then the start of the second half. 

Finland went on to win 1-0 after Joel Pohjanpalo’s goal on 59 minutes, which Danish ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel allowed through his grasp. 

Denmark midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg then had a poor penalty saved with 18 minutes left as the Finns held on for victory. 

A number of medical experts have suggested that Eriksen is unlikely to play football professionally again after his major health scare – a scenario which will be given more credence following Boesen's words on Sunday.