SCOTLAND’S Euro 2024 defeat by Hungary was held up for more than ten minutes in worrying scenes after Barnabas Varga suffered a serious injury.
The Hungarian forward, 29, collided with Scotland No.1 Angus Gunn while taking a free-kick and appeared to be elbowed in the face.
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Barnabas Varga receives medical attention as Angus Gunn looks on Credit: Reuters
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Kevin Csoboth celebrates in his teammate’s jersey Credit: Getty
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Dominik Szoboszlai urges medics to hurry Credit: Rex
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The Hungarian talisman was clearly emotional after the incidentCredit: Getty
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Doctors took Barnabas Varga off the field behind the screenCredit: EPA
Varga fell to the ground, remained motionless, and the referee immediately stopped the game.
Teammates quickly put Varga in a position to recover.
Medical staff immediately rushed to the pitch to help the stricken striker, with sheets around him on the pitch to give him privacy as he received care.
Several players, including Liverpool star and Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai, were seen in tears.
While Varga was clearly in trouble, Szoboszlai even ran off the court to rush the bearers as they walked onto the court.
After a 10-minute delay, Varga was finally carried off the field to the applause of both groups of fans.
Viewers were shown a replay of the harrowing incident on television, in apparent violation of Uefa protocol.
The BBC apologized for airing the clip, explaining that they were using a local TV feed which meant they had limited control over the images.
Host Gabby Logan explained live on air: “We were as shocked as you were when they repeated the incident.
“There are protocols around things like this after Christian Eriksen three years ago and we were very surprised that Uefa decided to show that replay, which is why we immediately cut wide as soon as we could.”
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The Tartan Army left devastated after Scotland’s defeat to Hungary saw them crash out of Euro 2024.
Inside Barnabas Varga’s rise from semi-pro to Euro 2024
BARBABAS VARGA has enjoyed a meteoric rise from the semi-professional leagues of Austria and Hungary to the Euro 2024 final.
The Hungarian striker played six seasons, between 2010 and 2016, for SV Eberau in the Bergenlandliga – the regional fourth division of Austrian football.
A record of multiple goals in every other game earned Varga a chance for great success with SV Mattersburg in the Austrian Bundesliga.
However, he scored just once in just 16 games over the next three seasons before being relegated to the second division with SV Lafnitz.
After a mixed period, Varga’s next step was back home, back to the second division, with Gyirnot in 2020.
That’s when it started to click for Varga and his eye for the goal saw the attack of the first league team Paksi FC.
Varga scored almost a goal per game in his first season with Paksi, finishing as the top scorer in the Hungarian league.
It earned the late player his international debut, aged 28, in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Bulgaria.
In his third game, away to Serbia, he scored his first goal for Hungary.
Last summer, Varga joined Hungarian giants Ferencvaros and won the golden boot again as his side won the league, the first silverware of his career.
As the game resumed, clips on social media soon showed Varga leaving the stadium in an ambulance, with reports suggesting he was thankfully conscious and communicating with paramedics.
The BBC has confirmed that Varga is in a stable condition in hospital in Stuttgart.
And head coach Marco Rossi revealed in a post-match interview that Varga will undergo surgery after suffering a facial fracture.
The forward, who plays for Ferencvaros in his homeland, will be banned from the competition until the end of Euro 2024.
Rossi said: “Barnabas Varga’s life is not in danger.
“He will undergo surgery on a facial fracture and will not be available until the end of Euro 2024.”
Former Scotland international Pat Nevin insisted goalkeeper Gunn had every right to go for the ball.
He told BBC 5 Live: “We’ve seen before if the keeper goes out and doesn’t get the ball but takes a player, that’s a foul.
“Actually I think Angus Gunn got something off the ball.”
Asked about the incident after the game, Gunn said: “It was a bit of a blur.
“I had to come and I thought I did well, it was a little sore, I hope the guy is OK.”
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Hungarian forward Barnabas Varga received help on the field
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Barnabas Varga led the line for HungaryCredit: Getty
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Dominik Szoboszlai helps bring a stretcher to the field Credit: Getty
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Fans looked very worried after seeing the incident
Hungary scored through Kevin Csoboth in the 100th minute after a lightning counterattack to send Scotland out of the Euros.
They celebrated by holding up Varga’s shirt in tribute, but now they are anxiously waiting to see if three points will be enough to move on as one of the best third-placed teams.
Scotland pushed hard in added time at the end of the 90 minutes and could have had the ball in the net over the bar before being caught late on.
He will undergo surgery on a facial fracture and will not be available until the end of Euro 2024.
Marco Rossi
Gunn added: “It’s hard to say to be honest. I thought everyone did their best.
“The goal in the end was because we were going for it, but I think the effort we put in today showed the fans and the country what it means to us.
“They were able to fight back at the end and it was a bit of a blow as I thought we defended well for most of the game.”
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Hungary lifted Varga’s shirt at the endCredit: Getty
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Their fans celebrate amid the Scottish miseryCredit: Getty
Andrew Robertson was dejected after the game.
He told the BBC: “Honestly, there’s nothing to say, we did our best.
“Both teams had to win, we had a chance, but that’s football, that’s how it goes.
“It will take a long time to get over this, we had a lot of possession in the first half but we didn’t do anything but we were in control.
“We had to find that top edge and progress a little more.
“We went for it, but they kicked us out – a draw was realistically not enough.
“We have to get over this, it’s hard, it’s devastating, there’s no glossing over it.
“It’s up to us to pick them up, but it will happen slowly but surely.
“What I will say is thank you to the country, we felt everything behind us, we knew the excitement at home, we are sorry to let you down.”
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Source: HIS Education