WATCH: Tottenham's Christian Eriksen Scores for Denmark
Fresh off of playmaking duties at Tottenham, Christian Eriksen kicked things off in style for Denmark’s World Cup qualifying math against Armenia on Sunday.
The match was Denmark’s first competitive fix since failing to qualify for this summer’s European Championships. The Scandinavian nation will be hoping that Eriksen and his teammates can avoid such embarrassment again ahead of 2018’s World Cup set to be hosted by Russia. Sunday’s result against Armenia was the first step in making that dream reality.
It was a win earned in large part thanks to Eriksen himself. Denmark managed to hold on after Eriksen’s goal in the 17th minute to earn a vital 1-0 win.
Eriksen’s goal itself was something close to a marvel of teamwork and technical ability. It was the end result of a series of clever passes that began at the halfway line. Eriksen received the ball about ten yards outside Armenia’s area and passed it forward where it ultimately found new Middlesbrough signing Viktor Fischer. The former Ajax man backheeled a pass back into the path of Eriksen, from whence Tottenham’s number 23 calming shot it past the Armenian goalkeeper.
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The celebration that followed Eriksen’s goal was evidence of the whole team’s relief. An ignominious summer spent watching their European rivals compete in France could not have done right by their psyche. A team centered around a player like Eriksen, and also featuring such budding talents as Fischer and Southamptoin’s Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, should not struggle to find a way into the Euros or the World Cup.
Denmark fans aren’t the only ones out there taking some hope from Eriksen’s goal. Tottenham will be hoping that getting on the scoresheet for Denmark will instill some confidence in the 24-year-old playmaker.
Through the first three matches of the season, Eriksen has visibly not been himself. He’s looked out of sorts, drifting from matches instead of dictating them and generally looking a step or two behind the opposition.
Minor turmoil surrounding his contract might be playing into Eriksen’s poor form of late. Thankfully it appears as if Mauricio Pochettino has stepped in to expedite the process of keeping Eriksen at the club a while longer — and also increasing his salary to compete with some of the club’s highest earners.
A goal for his country and a new contract could combine into some improved form when Tottenham meet Stoke City this coming Saturday. Two draws and a win so far this season is a decent haul for the club, but Pochettino might think himself lucky that his side’s disconnected form hasn’t resulted in more points dropped. A resurgent Eriksen would go a long way to getting Tottenham back on track.
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