Hungary dedicate Euro 2024 win to stricken Barnabas Varga after ‘terrible’ injury

STUTTGART – Hungary winger Roland Sallai dedicated the 1-0 win over Scotland at Euro 2024 to Barnabas Varga, who was stretchered off and taken to hospital after a sickening collision which will rule him out of the rest of the tournament.

Varga collapsed onto the Stuttgart Arena pitch and was struggling to move, after chasing a long cross into the area as Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn came to collect the ball late in the second half on June 23.

After a long delay, medics took the 29-year-old player from the pitch while sheets were draped around the stretcher, in scenes that were initially reminiscent of

Christian Eriksen’s collapse after cardiac arrest

during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland.

Reports on June 24 said Varga broke several bones in his face and suffered a concussion. The Hungarian Football Federation had earlier said he was in a stable condition.

German broadcaster Magenta TV reported that Varga was conscious and talking when he arrived at the hospital.

Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai appeared to be in tears as he consoled his stricken teammate.

“It was terrible. It was a terrible moment to see Barnabas like that,” said Sallai.

“Fortunately, he is in a much better condition. He is probably going to have to go for a minor operation.

“We cross our fingers that he can return quickly... Of course, we were fighting for him in the remaining 15-20 minutes. We wanted to win for him and we dedicate the win to him.”

Coach Marco Rossi said after the match: “It was a confusing situation. What I heard from the players is that Barny at that moment looked like he was not conscious, so everyone was really worried about his condition and also worried about the fact that the doctors arrived a bit late we can say.

“But of course, they probably didn’t realise it was a dangerous situation. Fortunately, we can say now that Barny is not under any kind of risk.

“Probably he will be operated in the coming hours because he suffered a fracture here (pointing to his cheek/eye socket). If we go through the competition, of course he will not be part of the team any more.”

Kevin Csoboth grabbed the winning goal in the 10th minute of stoppage time in the Group A game to keep alive the team’s hopes of making the last 16 after ending the group stage with three points.

The four third-placed teams with the best records from the six groups will move into the last 16.

While Scotland had 60 per cent possession against Hungary, they failed to produce any decent chances in the final third.

Manager Steve Clarke lashed out at the officials after Stuart Armstrong was caught by Hungary defender Willi Orban in the box but no penalty was awarded and there was no video assistant referee check.

“A 100 per cent penalty,” he said. His team had a woeful 16 shots over their three games, beating Northern Ireland’s 17-attempt record in 2016 for fewest shots since the group stage was introduced in 1980.

Scotland have never made the knockout rounds in 12 major tournaments, dating back to 1954. AFP, REUTERS