Dramatic Injury Overshadows Hungary's Euro 2024 Victory

Barnabas Varga's team doctor has provided an update on the forward's condition after a horrific collision during Hungary's Euro 2024 match against Scotland on Monday. The 29-year-old suffered severe facial fractures in a brutal clash with Scotland's goalkeeper, Angus Gunn, while his wife, Laura Skrapits, watched in horror from the stands. Varga was visited in the hospital by Gergely Panics, the team doctor for his club side, Ferencváros.

"Barni suffered a concussion and lost consciousness during the collision," Panics revealed to the Hungarian outlet, Magyar Nemzet. "By the time he reached the ambulance, he had regained consciousness and was taken to a clinic in Stuttgart. After examination, a therapeutic plan was drawn up, and he will undergo surgery. Our striker suffered multiple facial skull fractures, with several bones broken and some dislocated."

Panics further explained that Varga would be kept in the hospital for two days post-operation and, if all goes well, would be released by Wednesday.

Laura Skrapits, a 27-year-old beautician, witnessed the injury firsthand, having traveled to Germany to support her partner and the national team's European campaign. With the game goalless and both teams searching for an opener, Varga collided with Gunn in the 67th minute while attempting to collect the ball.

The severity of Varga's injury was immediately apparent as his teammates urgently signaled for medical assistance. Varga lay motionless on the ground, receiving medical attention, and the game was paused for seven minutes before he was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital.

Hungary's head coach, Marco Rossi, confirmed in his post-match press conference that Varga was stable and conscious in the hospital. However, Dominik Szoboszlai criticized the medical staff for the time it took them to attend to Varga.

When asked about the medical team's actions, Panics declined to comment on the German protocol, stating, "Regarding the German protocol and first aid, I do not want to comment, as I do not know it in detail and I am not responsible for it. However, I can say that I visited Barni in the hospital and saw that he is in expert hands and receiving a lot of attention."

Varga's wife, Laura, shared her ordeal on social media, making her profile public and posting several photos of the couple's adventures. The pair met in their home village of Szentpeterfa, Hungary, and now live in Budapest where Ferencváros is based. Varga has expressed a desire to return to Szentpeterfa once his football career ends.

After Szoboszlai's criticism, UEFA insisted there was no delay in Varga's treatment. They clarified that the team doctor intervened within 15 seconds of the incident, followed by the pitchside emergency team. 

"Regarding the medical intervention following Barnabas Varga's head injury, we clarify that the team doctor intervened within 15 seconds of the incident, followed immediately by the second stadium doctor to provide appropriate treatment," UEFA stated.

Despite the goalless draw likely to eliminate both teams from the tournament, Kevin Csoboth scored a stoppage-time goal to secure Hungary's victory, keeping their hopes alive in Group A.