Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand has described how it was "impossible" for defender Simon Kjaer to continue playing after watching teammate Christian Eriksen collapse.
The horrific incident involving Eriksen occurred in the first-half of Denmark's opening Euro 2020 match against Finland, which stunned both sets of players.
Eriksen fell to the ground after receiving the ball from a throw-in and was quickly helped by those around him.
One of those who came rushing to the help of the Inter Milan midfielder was captain of the Denmark team, Kjaer.
The 32-year-old stopped Eriksen from swallowing his tongue, placed him in the recovery position, started CPR before medics arrived and consoled his distressed partner.
There was a break in play after this incident, though the two teams decided to resume the match at 8:30pm local time.
Kjaer was replaced in the 63rd minute of the game by Southampton defender Jannik Vestergaard, with the Denmark boss admitting that the situation prevented him from remaining on the field of play.
"Kjaer was very, very touched. They are [Kjaer and Eriksen] very good friends," said Hjulmand.
"He wanted to try continue playing, but it was impossible. Feelings overwhelmed him. It is totally understandable.”
Both players currently play in the same city, with Kjaer at AC Milan and Eriksen at Inter.
It was not long before Inter players began sending their best wishes to their club teammate, with Romelu Lukaku dedicating his opening goal against Russia to the former Tottenham Hotspur star.
This was a difficult experience for all those involved in yesterday's match, who were praised for their ability to carry on playing after witnessing such an event.
Denmark boss Hjulmand described after the game that certain individuals are now "emotionally finished" as a result.
"It was a tough night," he said.
"We are all reminded what the most important thing in life is and that is to have valuable relations.
"We have a group of players I can’t praise enough. I couldn’t be prouder of these people who take such good care of each other at such a time where one of my very, very dear friends is suffering.
"There are players in there who are completely, emotionally finished. Players who on another day could not have played this match. They are holding each other. It was a traumatic experience."
