Simon Kjaer: Denmark Captain Hailed for Crucial Role in Saving Christian Eriksen's Life

• Christian Eriksen collapsed just before half-time as team-mate Joakim Maehle threw the ball to him during Denmark's Euro 2020 opener with Finland
• Simon Kjaer wasted no time in providing the necessary support to Eriksen, including stopping him from swallowing his tongue
• Kjaer was also seen consoling his teammate's wife, Sabrina, who had risen from her seat during the moment of confusion
• Eriksen's condition has since stabilised having urged his teammates to play after contemplation to postpone the match

Denmark captain Simon Kjaer has been praised for his heroic role in helping save Christian Eriksen's life after the midfielder collapsed during their Euro 2020 opener with Finland.

Whereas Denmark went on to lose the match, it was Kjaer's remarkable gesture that stole the show, with many hailing the skipper as a hero.

Kjaer placed Eriksen in a recovery position while unconscious and have CPR, an emergency procedure that combines chest compressions in an effort to preserve intact brain function.

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Eriksen is understood to have tumbled to the ground with no one next to him just three minutes before the break, leaving millions watching around the world fearing for the worst.

However, Kjaer's actions which happened before the medical team responded have been cited to have played a vital part in saving Eriksen's life.

SunSport reports the 32-year-old dashed from his position and pushed aside other players, before immediately placing his clearly unconscious teammate into the recovery position.

The AC Milan defender did not stop there as he went on to stop Eriksen from swallowing his tongue before he took the life-saving decision of giving CPR.

Kjaer, in the company of Kasper Schmeichel then raced across the pitch to console Eriksen's distressed wife, Sabrina, who, at this particular point had risen from her seat.

Football fans, led by Piers Morgan took to social media to single out Kjaer for praise, underscoring his leadership and role in saving the life of his teammate.

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"Denmark’s captain @simonkjaer.official ensured Eriksen didn't swallow his tongue when he was unconscious, gave him CPR, told the squad to form a protective shield around him, consoled Eriksen’s horrified wife & has now led his team back into the game," Piers wrote.

"You, sir, are a hero. ," he concluded.

Whereas Denmark went on to lose the opener by a solitary goal scored by Joel Pohjanpalo in the 59th minute, it was Kjaer's leadership off the pitch that stole the headlines.

Earlier, Legit.ng had reported how Romelu Lukaku paid a touching tribute to his club teammate Christian Eriksen as Belgium cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Russia in a Euro 2020 Group B cracker.

There were concerns the match could be postponed following Eriksen’s plight as the Danish international collapsed in the 43rd minute during the other match against Finland.