Christian Eriksen was shockingly hit by a coin in an interview after a dream return to the Denmark national team.
287 days after he suffered a cardiac arrest playing against Finland at Euro 2020, Eriksen made an emotional comeback for his country and it was truly written in the stars.
After coming on at half-time and being given a standing ovation, Eriksen scored with his first touch when he curled the ball into the top corner to make it 3-2.
It was a special moment. Eriksen was full of joy and his teammates were also elated for him after that frightening episode 9 months ago.
Eriksen also went close to scoring after firing a long-range effort against the post in an impressive cameo at the Johan Cruyff Arena, a stadium he lit up on many an occasion for Ajax.
But the return reached an unexpectedly sour note as while talking about being back on the pitch for the national team, a coin was thrown at Eriksen during a post-match interview.
The missile hit the former Spurs midfielder on the arm and he turned and had a look down at what had just struck him.
Discussing his goal and comeback, Eriksen said: "I was happy the ball came to me. I thought it was a lovely finish and to start my international comeback like this is a perfect way.
"If you take away the result, I'm one happy man. To go through what I've been through, being back is a wonderful feeling."
Fitted with a ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator), Eriksen was not allowed to play in Serie A due to their regulations on heart devices and so he had his Inter Milan contract terminated in December when he realised it was possible to continue to playing.
The 30-year-old signed a six-month deal with Brentford in January and made his first appearance against Newcastle, receiving applause from both sets of fans and players after entering as a substitute.
Topics: Ajax, Netherlands, Denmark, Christian Eriksen
Josh Lawless