Christian Eriksen walked on to complete one of sport's most remarkable comeback stories 52 minutes into the game.
After suffering a cardiac arrest while playing for the Danes, Thomas Frank promised that he would see action here.
The day didn't go to plan when Brentford went down to 10 men early on in the game and lost 2-0.
Although the timing was not ideal with the Bees already 2-0 down, the arrival of Eriksen was something that rose above sport.
When he ran out to warm up at 14.21, when he did a brisk trot down the touchline during the first half, and when he received his final instructions from Frank, the fans of the club had 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884
The whole stadium rose in joy as he entered the action, to see this most classy of players and personalities restored to full health and doing what he loves. It seemed like a distant prospect on that dark day.
The player he replaced was a fellow countryman named Mathias Jensen, who took his place on the night the action resumed between Danes and Finns.
The fans in high spirits as their side dominated, generously joined in the standing ovation. Ryan Fraser and Jonjo Shelvey joined the applause.
This latest loss made it eight games without a win and made it more likely that the team will go down. The bigger picture was that this was a great day to see Eriksen back, and that he may be a vital addition in the closing weeks of the season.
One young fan took the microphone before the game and said he would inspire them to a 6-0 win.
Many of the people who have been at his side through harrowing times were here at Brentford to witness the moment, but it was wide of the mark.
The cover star of the match-day programme was Eriksen, who said: "I remember it all." I was in heaven for those minutes.
He admitted he was gone from this world for five minutes, but was back playing after being fitted with an ICD, which can reset the heart after a cardiac arrest.
In 38 minutes, he had 24 passes, 13 on target and a 54.2% accuracy rate, with those trademark touches of class.
The fact that he was cruising around in the middle of the park lifted the mood in a subdued stadium, another factor that will make him a valuable commodity as they seek the results that are currently eluding them.
He will carry a heavy burden of expectation, but he is good enough to shoulder it and not shy away from it.
He came on and immediately demanded the ball, showing his full range of short and long passing.
There was a moment of vintage Eriksen late on when a left-foot volley created an opening for Ivan Toney and another raking ball in behind the defence suggested that the creative point of difference he will offer.
After the final whistle, Eriksen walked around the pitch to a warm reception from the fans of the other team.
If you take away the result, he said. I am one happy man. Being back is a wonderful feeling.
When I came on, Thomas didn't say much. I have been talking to him every day for the last few weeks. He said good luck and enjoyed the game.
You can't predict the game. I don't think anyone expected us to be down to 10 men so early. The guys did what they could. It was a good fight.
It has been very special since day one. They have taken good care of me. Everyone has been very helpful and everyone has been really happy about it.
Everyone is here. My family, my parents, my kids, my mother-in-law and some doctors have been helping me. What they have been through is worse than what I have been through.
For Christian and his family, it was a big moment. It was nice to see him and hopefully he can speak only about football.
I have been privileged to see him in training over the last three weeks, and you could see some of his brilliance.
He is a top, top player and he will add a lot of value to our team.
It may have been a day when Brentford lost, when the worries that a season that held so much promise lurched further into trouble, but Christian Eriksen out on the football pitch showing the ability that lit up so many games, even if it came in brief flashes, was a glorious feel-
The attention on the debut of the man Frank claims could be the club's greatest signing is over, so Christian can get down to the main business of inspiring the sort of form that made the Bees such a refreshing addition to the Premier League in the early months of the season.
This heart-warming story will have another remarkable chapter if he can do that.
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