'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Finland beat Nordic rivals Denmark 1-0 at Parken in their EURO 2020 Group B fixture. The match had to be stopped 40 minutes into the first half when Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field.
Eriksen's heart had stopped due to a cardiac arrest and the two teams immediately rushed the doctors on to the field. The Danish player was taken to a hospital as the footballing world waited rather nervously.
Euro 2020 organizers UEFA confirmed a little later that the player was stable and able to talk and under recovery. After a delay of an hour and 45 minutes, play was resumed at the request of the players. The Danish FA communicated along with UEFA that the teams wanted to resume the match.
The Danish players were clearly distraught and a few were seen in tears during the warm-up prior to the restart. They put a brave account of themselves on the pitch and were clearly the more dominant side on the field. However, as luck would have it, Finland scored from one shot on goal and bagged three crucial points in their opening match.
Joel Pohjanpalo's header proved to be the difference in the game as Denmark failed to find the back of the net despite 22 attempts on goal.
The hosts, however, were handed a golden opportunity to equalize in the 74th minute, when Paulus Arajuuri brought down Yussuf Poulsen in the box. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg stepped up to take the subsequent penalty, but his effort was saved by Finnish goalkeeper Lukáš Hrádecký.
It was a historic night for Finland as they registered their first goal and their first win at a major European tournament. However, they showed the utmost respect for Eriksen and the Denmark team with their muted celebrations on the pitch.
Here we take a look at the five talking points from the game.
#5 Denmark not decisive enough in the final third
Denmark were clearly the better side in the game despite the events surrounding Eriksen's medical emergency. They continued to dominate possession and were able to move the ball easily into the final third.
The hosts had 22 shots, of which six were on target, but could not find a way past Hrádecký, who capped off a brilliant performance with a penalty save in the 74th minute.
Losing Eriksen was a major blow to them. They missed his pin-point passes and astute deliveries in the final third. The medical emergency also affected the Danish players mentally, as it would to any team in the world.
#4 Finland score their first major European tournament goal in Euro 2020
Finland were the second-best side throughout the game. A quick look at the stats paints a telling picture of the same. They had 30% possession, were behind in passes completed, with a 68% conversion rate, committed more fouls and most notably only had one shot on target.
However, that one shot was enough for them to take the lead against Denmark in the game. It was a golden goal for the visitors, who scored completely against the run of play.
It was their only opportunity in their first ever game in a major European tournament.
Also See: The 10 highest-paid goalkeepers in the world
#3 Denmark's bad luck in the opening fixtures of the Euros continue with another loss
Denmark failed to open their Euro 2020 campaign with a win. This loss marks the eighth occasion in which they have begun their campaign in the continental tournament without a win.
Their last win in the opening fixture of the competition came at Euro 2012, in which they produced an impressive display to record a 1-0 win over The Netherlands. But it was their only win in that competition, as they lost to Portugal and Germany in the other two group stage games.
They have five losses and three draws in their last nine opening games at the Euros but can't be held completely responsible for the loss against Finland this time.
#2 Christian Eriksen stable after a cardiac problem and might be ruled out for the remaining games
The whole stadium came to a standstill in what was a horrific scene at the Parken Stadium when Denmark's Christian Eriksen suddenly collapsed close to the sidelines in front of hundreds of home fans in the first half.
The Denmark players rushed to him and captain Simon Kjaer ensured that the unconscious player did not swallow his tongue. Everyone knew that something was seriously wrong with him as the medical team rushed to Eriksen and gave him CPR on the spot.
The home team surrounded the player and everyone including the Finland players and the fans were in tears having to witness the scene. Fortunately, the player regained consciousness and was rushed to the hospital. The game resumed after an hour and 45 minutes.
It remains to be seen whether the former Tottenham Hotspur man can rejoin the squad as he is one of the key players for his team and his absence could seriously hurt Denmark's chances of qualifying.
#1 Finland record their first-ever win at a major international tournament
Finland made a dream debut in a major international tournament as they scored the only goal of the game to bag all three points. Their 1-0 win holds special significance as it marks their first win at a major tournament. The celebrations could've been even bigger but they showed respect for Eriksen and ensured that football was more about unity than just winning and losing.
They produced moments of brilliance at either end of the pitch as they scored from their only shot of the game and Hrádecký saved a penalty 16 minutes before the final whistle.
Finland have a great squad at the moment with players from some of Europe's top leagues in their ranks and could not have asked for a better start to the Euro 2020 finals.
Also See: 10 highest-paid players in La Liga this season (2020/21)
