‘Chris, Chris I love you!’: Romelu Lukaku dedicates Belgium opener to Inter team-mate Eriksen

‘Chris, Chris I love you!’: Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku emotionally dedicates his goal against Russia to close friend and Inter Milan team-mate Christian Eriksen after Denmark star collapsed on the pitch against Finland

Romelu Lukaku ran to the cameras and dedicated his opener for Belgium against Russia to his Inter Milan team-mate Christian Eriksen.

The Denmark midfielder collapsed during his country’s match earlier in the day and was given CPR on the pitch by medics, and he is currently conscious and in hospital.

After Lukaku opened the scoring for Belgium, he shouted into the camera, ‘Chris, Chris I love you!’ 

Romelu Lukaku dedicated his opener for Belgium to his club team-mate Christian Eriksen

The pair both play for Inter Milan and Lukaku shouted 'Chris, Chris I love you' to the cameras

The pair both play for Inter Milan and Lukaku shouted ‘Chris, Chris I love you’ to the cameras

Belgium’s match with Russia kicked off as scheduled despite the earlier incident, after it became clear Eriksen’s condition was stable.

In a statement, the Danish FA confirmed that Eriksen is conscious and undergoing tests at hospital. ‘Christian Eriksen is AWAKE and is undergoing further examinations at Rigshospitalet.’

Denmark’s match with Finland restarted after both sets of players had left the pitch and it initially unknown whether the match would be abandoned or not.

However, when the more positive news about Eriksen’s condition emerged, UEFA confirmed both sets of players were happy to resume proceedings, and Finland went on to win the match 1-0.

Eriksen collapsed during Denmark's match with Finland and required CPR on the pitch

Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s match with Finland and required CPR on the pitch

Lukaku and the Danish midfielder are team-mates at Inter and helped lead the side to their first Serie A title in over a decade last season.

Eriksen had seemed likely to leave the club in January after failing to settle, but went a long way to overcoming his troubles in the second half of the campaign with much improved performances. 

Belgium, who are in Group B alongside Denmark, opened the scoring against Russia through Lukaku’s emphatic finish, before Thomas Meunier doubled the lead in the first half.