DENMARK 0-0 FINLAND
40. As we approach the half-time whistle, it’s safe to say that Denmark have controlled a lot of the possession but they have really struggled to break down this resolute Finn side.
Their best bet at the moment is just lofting balls into the box but again even that avenue is currently being blocked off.
It’s been a sturdy first half for Finland, the nation will be proud.
The game has, for the time being suspended and it seems very unlikely to continue this evening. Obviously the actual match could not be more unimportant and everyone’s thoughts are with Christian Eriksen.
He has been removed from the pitch on a stretcher and a kind Danish reader has emailed to say he is only 500 metres from the most renowned hospital in Copenhagen, where he will receive the best possible care.
Denmark v Finland: I have no further reports to bring you at the moment and I’m not about to engage in idle London-based speculation about what’s going on in a small corner of a field in Copenhagen. My hands are shaking here, so it’s a little difficult to type. I will bring you any confirmed news as it comes. It’s worth saying again: C’mon Christian! Fight!
What we know: The ball went out of play for a Denmark throw-in down near the corner flag. Rushing to receive the ball from whoever was taking it, Christian Eriksen collapsed face first into the turf as the ball hit his knee.
Two nearby Finnish players, a Dane and referee Anthony Taylor immediately signalled for urgent medical assistance. Soon after that arrived, one of the Danish medical team was seen performing compressions on Eriksen’s chest as his teammates formed a ring around him and the staff treating him. As of five minutes ago, Eriksen was still receiving treatment on the pitch. The BBC have ended their coverage and I’m told the match has been postponed. This is awful.
Denmark v Finland: On the BBC, they’ve cut back to the studio and probably not before time. Gary Lineker, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Scott and Micah Richards all look in total shock, as am I. It’s difficult to know what to type here, really. Please God, Christian will be OK.
Denmark v Finland: A young woman, who I guess is Eriksen’s wife or partner has made her way on to the pitch and is being consoled by Denmark skipper Simon Kjaer and Kasper Schmeichel. The Finland players, looking very shaken, have retired to the dressing-room. Denmark’s distraught players continue to form a wide circular shield around their stricken team-mate.
Denmark v Finland: Christian Eriksen collapsed down by one corner flag near the touchline. His own team-mates and a couople of Finland players immediately signalled to referee Anthony Taylor that he needed urgent medical attention.
I think Taylor had spotted that anyway and immediately halted play so the medical staff could come on and work on the midfielder. They continue to do so while the players of Finland maintain a respectful distance on the other side of the pitch.
45+2 min: As the players of Denmark, some of them distraught, form a shield around their team-mate Christian Eriksen while the team’s medical staff work on him, those from Finland are keeping their distance but also look incredbly concerned and upset. The crowd has fallen largely silent. This is truly traumatic for all present at the Parken Stadium. Come on, Christian!
45 min: This is truly awful. Erikssen is being resuscitated on the pitch as his distraught team-mates stand around him in an outward facing ring to shield him and give their teammate and the medical staff looking after him some privacy. He just dropped face first into the ground as he went to receive a throw-in.
44 min: Erikssen appears to be getting CPR on the pitch. Oh my, this is awful! His teammates are standing around creating a kind of human screen to give him some privacy as the medical staff attend to him. I think I can see somebody pumping his chest.
