Barnabas Varga is in a stable condition in hospital after reportedly breaking ‘several bones in his face’ following a sickening collision during Hungary’s Euro 2024 match against Scotland in Stuttgart.
Last night’s Group A match was halted for around seven minutes after the 29-year-old Hungarian tumbled to the grass following a brutal collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the 67th minute.
The Ferencvaros striker was immediately knocked unconscious and was seen stiffly on the pitch as desperate teammates frantically signaled medics on the touchline.
Varga was later carried off the field on a stretcher as sheets were held up to hide him from view.
The Hungarian Football Association issued an update on his condition late on Sunday evening: ‘Several bones in Barnabas Varga’s face were broken in the collision during the match, and he also suffered a concussion. Surgery is most likely to be expected.
‘He is spending the night in the hospital in Stuttgart. The whole team supports him!’
Meanwhile, Varga’s wife Laura Skrapits was forced to watch the entire incident from the stands after traveling to Germany to support her partner and the national team’s European campaign.
The 27-year-old beautician witnessed the moment her husband suffered the heavy blow first-hand as she sat alongside other Hungarian WAGs at the Stuttgart stadium.
Last night’s Group A match was halted for around seven minutes after the 29-year-old Hungarian tumbled to the grass following a brutal collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the 67th minute.
Barnabas Varga is seen with partner Laura Skrapits
Sheets were raised around Barnabas Varga as the Hungarian striker was treated
Varga received medical treatment after a collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn
Dominik Szoboszlai appeared in tears on the pitch as his teammate was treated
Varga and Laura met in their home village of Szentpeterfa in Hungary, although they now live in Budapest, where Varga’s Ferencvaros club is based.
The couple keep their personal lives hidden from fans, and Laura’s social media profiles are private – although Varga has shared images of himself celebrating a Cup win with his partner in the past.
In a previous interview with Goal.com, Varga said of his relationship with Laura: ‘We know each other [for a long time]which is the most normal thing there, everyone in the village knows everyone.
‘My partner’s parents live a few hundred meters from me. We can walk to them.
‘I like being here, I have the feeling that if I stop playing football, I will go back to Szentpeterfa.’
Yesterday’s brutal blow came when Varga and Gunn both challenged for the ball from a free-kick in the penalty area, with the Scottish goalkeeper’s elbow appearing to hit the striker’s head.
Both teams quickly realized that Varga needed medical attention as he lay stiff, with his arms extended in the air.
Medics flooded the field and appeared to put Varga in the recovery position before erecting sheets around him to obscure the stricken attacker.
He was stretchered off the field about six minutes later after being stabilized by medics.
Hungary coach Marco Rossi revealed in his post-match press conference that Varga will have to undergo surgery after reportedly suffering a broken cheekbone.
“The players said he looked unconscious, so everyone was very concerned about his condition and concerned about the fact that the doctors arrived too late, we can say, but they probably didn’t realize it was a dangerous situation,” Rossi said .
‘Fortunately he is not at risk, he is having surgery here [his cheek].
‘He’s healthy, and that’s the most important thing. If we continue, he will no longer be part of the team.’
Scot Gunn told the BBC in a post-match interview: ‘It was a bit of a blur. I felt I should come and thought I did a good job. It was a little painful. Hopefully all is well with the man. I don’t really remember much about it.’
The Hungarian players had shown their support for Varga, with Kevin Csoboth raising his shirt in a show of support after scoring a dramatic winner in stoppage time.
Captain Dominik Szoboszlai was pictured wearing a Varga shirt at full-time as the Hungarian team gathered to celebrate their victory.
“The most important thing is that Barni is better, that’s what we fought for in the last 20 minutes,” said Hungarian striker Roland Sallai.
‘In the end we showed what kind of team we are, we never give up, this is our strength.’
Szoboszlai was seen carrying the stretcher as he urged them to rush to treat his teammate
Kevin Csoboth celebrated his match-winning goal by holding Varga’s shirt up in support
Szoboszlai was pictured wearing a Varga shirt at full-time after Hungary won 1-0 against Scotland
Varga was put on a neck brace as a precaution, as he may have suffered a spinal cord injury in the collision.
M4 Sport later reported that Varga was able to communicate with medical staff after visiting the pitch.
Sheets were pulled up around the injured striker as he received medical attention, with Hungary’s players helping stewards and doctors protect their teammate.
He was then taken off the pitch on a stretcher, with Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai helping to carry Varga off the pitch.
Hungary captain Szoboszlai was also seen in tears after the event took place, while other members of the team looked visibly distressed.
Angus Gunn also received medical attention, but was able to continue playing despite landing awkwardly on his back.
The match restarted in the 74th minute, seven minutes after the incident occurred.
The broadcasts continued to show the field and the reactions of players, coaching staff and fans in the stands for three minutes after the incident.
The BBC, which showed the match in Britain, said it was “shocked” that UEFA chose to show a replay of the incident.
Varga, right, was seen battling for possession with Scot Scott McKenna of Scotland earlier in the match
Hungarian players held onto Varga’s shirt full-time after beating Scotland to boost their last-16 hopes
‘Huge condolences to Scotland and their Tartan Army in Stuttgart and beyond. It wouldn’t be for Scotland again,” BBC presenter Gabby Logan said after the match.
“And, just to echo [commentator] Steve’s [Wilson] thoughts there, all our thoughts obviously go out to Barbaras Varga after that sickening collision and we’ll keep you posted as we get any information.
‘We have nothing more to say about his condition at this time. We were as shocked as you were when they replayed that incident.
‘There are protocols around this kind of thing after Christian Eriksen three years ago.
‘We were very surprised that UEFA chose to show that replay. That’s why we switched to wide angle as quickly as possible.’
Hungary’s 1-0 win could see them progress to the last 16 as one of the top-seeded third-placed teams, while the result ended Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign.