Denmark vs Finland LIVE: Christian Eriksen ‘was gone’ before medical intervention, team doctor reveals

“I had a lot of tears before the game. It was difficult to focus. Other players were affected too. I’m going to contact him. I read that he’s out of danger.

“I hope he’ll be in good health soon. I am happy with the victory, but my thoughts are with Christian.”

Inter CEO Beppe Marotta tells Rai Sport: “Christian Eriksen just sent a message on Inter whatsapp chat, it was few minutes ago.

“We’re optimistic about Christian conditions, Denmark staff told us that the situation is under control.”

Finland forward Teemu Pukki, the Norwich striker, said: “We are of course delighted for the result, even though the evening left much more to think about.”

Manager Markku Kanerva also reflected on a difficult night for his players.

“I said to them that I understood the emotions of the game and how they would feel after what had happened to Christian,” Kanerva told a press conference.

“I said to them ‘try to focus as much as you can on the game’. I said I know it will be difficult to do that, but they coped really well.”

Kanerva added: “(On our) first time in a major tournament and an opening game against Denmark in their home stadium. When we heard the national anthems, it was very emotional for us.

“And then what happened with Christian Eriksen - a very dramatic and sad incident. And then finally, we get a good result from the game.

“Of course I am happy for that. Unbelievable. We are going to remember this for a long time for different reasons.”

Hjulmand embracing challenge to regroup ahead of Belgium test on June 17.

“Regardless of where these things happen, there is the opportunity to get help,” he said.

“We are trying to pick ourselves up now and get ourselves sorted as much as we can. We have professionals with us.

“We will talk about it tonight, try to process it and move on together.”

England captain Harry Kane, who played with the 29-year-old for many years at Tottenham, sent his support to Eriksen.

He tweeted a message with two blue heart emojis, that read: “Chris. I’m sending all my love to you and your family. Stay strong mate.”

Denmark boss Hjulmand was in tears at the post-match press conference, reflecting on the most traumatic of experiences for all involved.

“It was a really tough evening, one on which we’ve all been reminded what the most important things in life are. It’s meaningful relationships. It’s those people who are close to us. It’s family and friends,” Hjulmand said.

“All thoughts are with Christian and his family. Christian is one of the best footballers, but he is an even better person.

“It was more unmanageable to have to restart tomorrow. It was more unmanageable than going back out now and getting it all put behind us.

“There are players in there who are completely finished emotionally. Players who on another day could not play this match. They are supporting each other. It was a traumatic experience.

“There is such a thing as everyone being able to say no. I said that no matter what, everything would be OK. You should be able to show aggression and joy, so it was something making room for all the emotions.

“You can’t play a football match at this level without being aggressive. It can’t be done.”

It was an image that the world of football had hoped and prayed to never see again. As an unconscious Christian Eriksen received CPR on the turf of Parken Stadium, with his teammates attempting to form a protective ring to keep his motionless body out of sight, it was hard not to think back to Fabrice Muamba’s own collapse nine years ago.

The footage of Denmark’s midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsing on the pitch on Saturday and receiving chest compressions as stunned fans at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium looked on was shocking.

The player was said to be “awake” and had been rushed to hospital where he was being stabilised on Saturday night.

It is not yet known what caused Eriksen to collapse and his heart to apparently stop, but it is not the first time football has seen witnessed such scenes.