Hungary forward Barnabás Varga in stable condition
Stuttgart, June 24: Hungary forward Barnabás Varga was in hospital in stable condition after a serious-looking injury at his team’s final group match at the European Championship.
Varga will likely undergo surgery after fracturing several bones in his face. The 29-year-old also has concussion and will take no part in the rest of Euro 2024 should Hungary advance to the round of 16 as one of the four best third-place teams.
The Group A game against Scotland was halted for nearly 10 minutes so Varga could get treatment after colliding with opposing goalkeeper Angus Gunn midway through the second half. Varga’s teammates held up blankets to shield the player as he was tended to by medical staff, while everyone looked on in concern.
Both sets of fans applauded when Varga was stretchered off.
“Several bones in Barnabás Varga’s face were broken during the collision during the match, and he also suffered a concussion,” the Hungarian football federation wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after the match.
“The Ferencváros striker is most likely to undergo surgery. He spends the night in the hospital in Stuttgart. The whole team is rooting for him!”
“It was terrible. Was a terrible moment to see Barnabás like that,” Hungary midfielder Roland Sallai said. (AP)
Germany confirm Rüdiger’s strained hamstring injury
Herzogenaurach, June 24: Antonio Rüdiger strained a hamstring muscle in Germany’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland at Euro 2024, his team said Monday.
The Real Madrid defender was seen holding his leg as he left the field after Sunday’s game, which saw Germany level the score with a header from Niclas Füllkrug in stoppage time.
Germany didn’t give any details of Rüdiger’s condition in a brief statement confirming the injury Monday or indicate whether he’s likely to be fit to play in the round of 16 on Saturday.
If Rüdiger can’t play, it would leave Germany without either of its first-choice central defenders.
The other central defender from the last game, Jonathan Tah, will be suspended for the round of 16 after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament.
It’s likely to mean a bigger role for Nico Schlotterbeck, who replaced Tah off the bench on Sunday. (AP)