Scotland and Hungary’s Euro 2024 clash was overshadowed by a horror injury to the Magyars’ forward Barnabas Varga.
Varga, 29, was involved in a nasty collision with Scotland’s keeper Angus Gunn. The scary incident during the Hungarians 1-0 victory on Sunday night happened in the 69th minute, when they were on the offensive after winning a free-kick, with the resulting ball launched into the box.
Gunn rushed off his line, colliding with his own defender, Anthony Ralston, and Varga collapsed on the turf, before he was quickly attended to by medics, with shields being put up around the Hungarian and team-mates including Liverpool ace Dominik Szoboszlai left in tears. Thankfully Varga’s injuries were not life-threatening – here Daily Star Sport takes a deeper look at the life of the Hungarian forward who the football world prayed for last night.
What has been said?
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The scenes in Stuttgart had reduced some Hungarian players to tears, and the Hungarian FA were quick to update their fans: “Varga’s condition is stable! The player of Ferencvaros is currently in one of the hospitals in Stuttgart! We will inform you if there is any news about his status!”
They later confirmed: “Several bones in Barnabás Varga’s face were broken during the collision during the match, and he also suffered a concussion. The Ferencvaros striker is most likely to undergo surgery.”
Manager Marco Rossi said: “What I heard from the players is that Barney looked unconscious. Everybody was really worried about his condition and worried that the doctors arrived a bit late. Probably they didn’t realise it was a dangerous situation.”
Who does Barnabas Varga play for?
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Varga started his career in Hungary, before moving to Austrian side SV Mattersburg – where he would spend three years. The 29-year-old also turned out for Austrian second-tier side SV Lafnitz.
In 2020, he returned to his homeland with Gyirmót before a spell with Paksi FC. Varga was starting to turn heads, netting 26 goals in his debut season with Paksi – earning him a move to Hungarian giants Ferencvaros last summer.
His goalscoring exploits have continued for Fradi, netting 20 times in 24 appearances in the Hungarian top flight. Ferencvaros, thanks to Varga’s goals wrapped up the league title in May.
How long has he played for Hungary?
(Image: Getty Images)
Varga made his Hungary debut on March 27 2023, when he came off the bench for the final 31 minutes against Bulgaria in a Euro 2024 qualifier. In total he has seven goals in 13 appearances for his national side.
His first goal for the Magyars came the following international break scoring in back-to-back games against Serbia and Lithuania. He has since netted a brace in an international friendly against Israel on the eve of Euro 2024.
Varga was off the mark in Germany in Hungary’s first match against Switzerland – cutting the Swiss’ advantage in the 66th minute.
Who is his brunette girlfriend?
Little is known about Varga’s currently relationship – but he posed with Laura Skrapits after winning the league with Ferencvaros, when the pair lifted the Nemzeti Bajnoksag trophy together.
Laura, like Varga, who hails from Hungary and is believed to work in hospitality – has seemingly followed her beau to Germany for this summer’s festival of football.
According to German-outlet BILD, Laura was at the MHPArena on Sunday evening as Varga went down with the horror injury.