Christian Eriksen's collapse for Denmark explained by expert cardiologist

A cardiologist has provided an explanation after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch for the second time in a friendly against Ukraine on Sunday.

Former Manchester United and Spurs midfielder Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest back in 2021 at Euro 2020 during a game against Finland in the group stages.

He was resuscitated and taken to hospital, recovering and even continuing his playing career at a high level after a break from the game and the fitting of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Six years on in Odense, Denmark. Eriksen collapsed again after clutching his chest in the second half.

Medics rushed to his aid and spent around 13 minutes giving the ex Inter Milan star treatment as players from both sides performed a huddle for privacy.

Fortunately, he was then able to return to his feet and became conscious, being taken to hospital for further examinations.

The game was abandoned with 75 minutes on the clock and Denmark leading 2-1.

READ MORE: Denmark manager Brian Riemer breaks silence on Christian Eriksen collapse

Denmark's doctor, Morten Boesen, who helped save Eriksen's like in 2021, issued a statement and said that Eriksen's pacemaker "responded as it should" and that he "regained consciousness very quickly".

Players performed a huddle around Eriksen. Image: Getty

On X, a cardiology expert weighed in with their take on what happened to Eriksen at Nature Energy Park.

Sadi Raza reshared his thread from Eriksen's previous cardiac episode and said it was likely that his defibrillator shocked him.

Raza, who is double board certified In cardiovascular diseases, wrote: "Good chance what happened today was his defibrillator (ICD) shocking him which is why his initial reaction is like being hit by a baseball bat to the chest. Remains to be seen whether he was shocked because his ICD detected a real arrhythmia or artifact. He will undergo a full evaluation but most immediately his ICD will be interrogated (which can be done immediately) to determine what exactly happened. Too soon to speculate what this means for his career."

In response, Dr Steven Cox, chief executive of the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in the United Kingdom, has called for more routine and regular cardiac screening for young players and athletes.

As per The Independent, Cox said: "This second, sudden collapse of Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen is a reminder of the potentially devastating impact that cardiac conditions can have on so many young people every day in the UK and across the world.

“Every week in the UK, at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people will collapse and die suddenly from previously undiagnosed heart conditions.

"This is why cardiac screening in both the general population and amongst elite athletes (more routinely and regularly) is so important. As such, CRY’s UK-wide screening programme tests the hearts of more than 30,000 young people aged 14-35 every year.”

Eriksen's current club Wolfsburg and former employers Spurs, United and Brentford have issued statements wishing him a speedy recovery.

The midfielder himself is yet to comment on this collapse.

Denmark did not qualify for this year's World Cup as they were beaten on penalties by the Czech Republic in the play-offs in Prague.