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Finland make history with 1-0 win over distracted Denmark

Copenhagen, Jun 12 (EFE).- Finland made their debut in a major competition a game to remember, prevailing 1-0 here Saturday in a Euro 2020 match against a Denmark side with its collective mind on stricken teammate Christian Eriksen, whose collapse in the 41st minute forced the contest to be suspended for nearly two hours.

Though Eriksen, 29, had regained consciousness by the time he was stretchered off the pitch, it was only after he telephoned his teammates from a nearby hospital that UEFA decided the match would resume.

The score was 0-0 when the midfielder went down.

The Danes, favored to advance to the next round as the second-place side in Group B behind top-ranked Belgium, had 70 percent possession and outshot the visitors 22-1, yet were clearly preoccupied by the situation surrounding their star.

Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel conceded a bad goal to Joel Pohjanpalo just before the hour-mark.

And when the hosts were awarded a questionable penalty with 15 minutes left in regulation, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg squandered the chance with a poor effort from the spot.

The visiting keeper, Lukas Hradecky, settled down after a shaky start to preserve a clean sheet and ensure that Finland would end the first match-day in Group B no lower than second place. EFE

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