What happened to Hungary player at Euro 2024? Latest updates after Barnabas Varga injury from collision in Scotland match | Sporting News United Kingdom

Sunday’s Euro 2024 match between Scotland and Hungary had to be paused for a considerable length of time as Barnabas Varga received urgent on-pitch medical attention.

In the second half of a pivotal Group A match, from which only one team could advance to the knockout stage, Varga was hurt after an apparent collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn. Screens were brought onto the field to shield him from view as teammates looked on with grave concern.

To that point, the game had featured precious few chances up front, even though both teams needed a win to have any chance of qualification for the next round. Understandably, both sets of players seemed shaken following the incident.

The Sporting News brings you all the latest on the injury to Hungary forward Varga, who was carried from the field on a stretcher after the incident.

MORE: A full review of the Euro 2024 results, schedule, and fixtures

What happened to Hungary player at Euro 2024?

In the 70th minute of Hungary’s group stage finale against Scotland, there was an aerial challenge as Magyars striker Barnabas Varga went up for a header in the Scotland penalty area.

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn came out to challenge the aerial duel, and it appeared that his ribs crashed into the side of Varga’s head at full speed.

Immediately there was concern for both players who lay in a heap on the pitch, but Gunn was seen moving slightly as players and medical staff arrived to administer treatment. Varga, however, lay on his back in the trademark “fencing response” for a person who is unconscious.

Teammates and medics rushed to Varga’s aid, lying him on his side as more individuals arrived. Concern was immediate, but the situation looked more dire as a beige sheet was raised to prevent fans and broadcast cameras from viewing the scene.

As the situation developed, there were even more signs that the injury was serious. As more medical staff jogged onto the pitch, Hungary playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai could be seen rushing over to grab the stretcher and bring it to his teammate faster, indicating a sense of urgency on the pitch. Szoboszlai could then be seen holding back tears.

Finally, the television cameras stopped filming the scene altogether, and when Varga was eventually stretchered off the pitch, it was not shown. Both sets of supporters applauded as he was carried from the field.

Speaking to the BBC afterwards, Gunn said: “It was a bit of a blur. I thought I had to come [challenge for the ball] and thought I had done well. Hopefully, the guy is alright. I can’t even remember too much about that one.”

Barnabas Varga latest updates after injury vs. Scotland

At around 11:15 p.m. local time, the Hungary national team posted on X to say that Varga’s condition was “stable”. They confirmed he had been taken to a hospital in Stuttgart.

Earlier, Nemzeti Sport, who cited M4 Sport, said Varga was conscious and communicating as he was taken to hospital after being taken off the pitch on a stretcher.

The updates were a relief as there was no obvious sign of consciousness after Varga was withdrawn from the field of play. Occasionally, players will raise a thumbs-up to let fans know they are okay, but the television broadcast avoided filming his exit from the playing surface, indicating things could be quite serious.

Later, the Hungarian federation revealed further information on Varga’s condition as it was announced that he had suffered “several broken bones in his face” as well as a concussion. The announcement stated that he would “most likely undergo surgery” at the hospital in Stuttgart during his overnight stay.

The next evening, on Monday June 24, the national team confirmed that Varga’s surgery was successful, calling it “uncomplicated” and indicating he could be dismissed from the hospital as soon as Wednesday.

Dominik Szoboszlai calls for changes to medical protocol

Following the scary injury to Barnabas Varga, Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai has spoken out for a greater sense of urgency from medical personnel in the event of a serious injury or clash of heads during match.

“I don’t really know what the [medical] protocol [is],” the Liverpool playmaker said speaking to the media after the match. “I don’t know how it works but if our doctors say we need someone immediately to help, then I don’t think they should walk.”

It’s not a surprising comment from Szoboszlai, who saw medical personnel jogging onto the field and sprinted over to them hoping to invoke a stronger sense of urgency. He even grabbed the stretcher and began running it over to Varga in the hopes of resolving the situation as quickly as possible.

“It’s not my decision but I think we need to change something,” Szoboszlai continued. “Even if somebody is on the ground, and you see that it was a big crash then just go [onto the pitch]. Even if the referee is saying don’t go on, just go on. And if you see it’s nothing serious, then you can just go down and its finished. But seconds can help a lot.”

What have UEFA said about Varga incident?

In response to criticism about the time it took medics to enter the field, UEFA released a statement on Monday. 

It read: “The intervention of the team doctor happened within 15 seconds of the incident, followed immediately by the second stadium doctor, to conduct a first assessment of the injury and provide appropriate treatment, as per customary medical procedures.

“The qualified pitch-side emergency team were waiting pitch-side, according to their protocol, and arrived with the stretcher as soon as their intervention was requested by the medics to evacuate the player for his immediate transfer to hospital.

The coordination between all the medical staff on site was professional and everything was done in accordance with the applicable medical procedures. There was no delay in the treatment of and assistance to the player.

Varga incident invokes memories of Christian Eriksen Euro 2020 collapse

The urgency with which Varga was treated, and the way the screens were brought on to shield him from view, brought to mind the incident at Euro 2020 when Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch.

The Denmark midfielder suffered cardiac arrest during a game against Finland and had to be resuscitated on the pitch before being taken to hospital. He was later fitted with a pacemaker.

You can read about Eriksen’s incredible recovery, and his goal scoring start to Euro 2024, here.