The story of Euro 2020 is back for more at the World Cup. Adversity struck early for Denmark early in the Euros when star Christian Eriksen collapsed with a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated. The near-death experience and jarring, emotional moment were followed by two subsequent losses, which were overcome as the Danes stormed into the semifinals—only to be stopped in an extra-time loss to England.
Hot off the heels of its best major tournament showing in the nation’s history, Denmark then rose to the occasion by winning nine of 10 qualifying matches and later picking up two wins against World Cup group stage opponent France in the UEFA Nations League. This is a side at the height of its powers at the right time.
Eriksen’s return—he scored two minutes into his first cap back with Denmark this past March—bolsters a solid team chock full of veterans who have experience playing against the world’s top sides. Kasper Schmeichel, while struggling to find his footing at new club Nice, has been a rock in goal for the Danes during the recent success. There’s a combination of aging leadership and youth in defense, and it scored more goals per game in qualifying than ever before. Playing in a manageable group, Denmark looks exactly like the type of squad that could make another surprise tournament run.
