Delayed help: Players and stewards hold a cloth as Hungary’s Barnabas Varga falls after a collision during the Group A match against Scotland. — AFP
STUTTGART: Hungary got their first win of Euro 2024 but paid a painful price. In shocking scenes reminiscent of Dane Christian Eriksen’s collapse after suffering cardiac arrest in Euro 2020, Barnabas Varga fell to the pitch in Stuttgart and was struggling to move after collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn who came to collect the ball late in the second half.
As Varga tried to meet Dominik Szoboszlai’s free kick, Gunn punched the ball with his right arm and Varga’s head appeared to collide with the goalkeeper’s trailing left arm.
Varga will likely undergo surgery after fracturing several bones in his face. The 29-year-old also has concussion and will take no part in the rest of Euro 2024 should Hungary advance as one of the four best third-place teams.
“It was terrible. It was a terrible moment to see Barnabas like that,” said Hungary winger Roland Sallai.
Naturally it was a terrible incident. 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.”
Hungary captain Szoboszlai appeared to be in tears as he consoled his stricken teammate.
After a long delay, which saw teammate holding up sheets around the player and the medics, Varga was carried away from the pitch.
The Hungary team were visibly incensed over the time the medical teams took to get over and treat the player.
Both sets of fans applauded when Varga was stretchered off.
“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,” said Rossi.
“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.”
Varga was immediately taken to hospital after the incident.
“The condition of Barnabas Varga is stable,” the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after the match.
“Several bones in Barnabás Varga’s face were broken during the collision, and he also suffered a concussion,” it said.
Gunn told the BBC: “It was a bit of a blur. I thought I had to come and thought I’d done well.
“It was a bit painful. Hopefully the guy is all right. I can’t really remember too much about it.”
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. — Agencies
