Hungary Stuns Scotland with Last-Minute Winner at EURO 2024 After Varga Injury Scare
Scotland’s dream run at EURO 2024 was shattered in dramatic fashion on Sunday as Hungary emerged victorious 1-0 in their final Group A fixture. The match, played at the Stuttgart Arena, was a tense affair with both teams needing a win to progress to the knockout stages.
The game was overshadowed by a horrific clash in the 69th minute. Hungary’s Barnabas Varga collided with Scotland’s goalkeeper Angus Gunn while challenging for a high ball. Varga was left motionless on the pitch after the impact and had to be stretchered off, raising concerns about his well-being.
Horror Collision and Scottish Frustration
The tense affair took a turn in the 68th minute when Varga collided with Scotland’s goalkeeper Angus Gunn and defender Anthony Ralston while challenging for a high ball. The incident left Varga motionless on the pitch, requiring extensive medical attention before being stretchered off. The Hungarian Football Federation later confirmed Varga was in stable condition but receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
Scotland, needing a win to progress, felt aggrieved when a penalty shout for a foul on Stuart Armstrong was waved away. The frustration continued as the fourth official signaled a lengthy 10 minutes of added time due to the Varga incident.
Csoboth Steals the Show in Stoppage Time
Both teams threw caution to the wind in the dying moments, with Scotland’s goalkeeper Gunn pulling off a string of saves to deny Hungary’s Andras Schafer and Dominik Szoboszlai. Kevin Csoboth also rattled the post, but his luck would change dramatically.
With what turned out to be the last kick of the match, Csoboth capitalized on a Scottish defensive lapse and raced through on goal. He kept his composure to slot the ball past Gunn, sending the Hungarian fans into a frenzy and extinguishing Scotland’s EURO dream.
Hungary Regroup
Scotland Left to Rue Missed Chances
The win puts Hungary back in contention for a place in the knockout stages. They finished third in Group A with three points, needing positive results in their remaining matches. Scotland, on the other hand, crashed out pointless, extending their wait to qualify for the knockout phase of a major tournament.
Varga’s Injury Casts a Shadow
The injury to Varga undoubtedly cast a shadow over Hungary’s hard-fought victory. While teammates celebrated a dramatic stoppage-time winner by Kevin Csoboth, their joy was tempered by concerns for their fellow player. Captain Dominik Szoboszlai, visibly emotional, spoke on behalf of the team: “We are relieved to hear Barnabas is stable. This win is for him, and hopefully we can continue our journey in the tournament for him too.”
Also Read: Euro 2024: Zaccagni’s Last-Minute Heroics Saves Italy’s Euros Dream
Varga’s absence will be a significant blow to Hungary’s campaign. The 29-year-old Ferencvaros forward has been in excellent form for club and country, and his aerial prowess and clinical finishing will be sorely missed. Coach Marco Rossi now faces a selection headache, with Kevin Csoboth, who grabbed the winner, the likely candidate to replace Varga.
Hungary’s qualification hopes remain alive after their win, but the victory comes at a cost. The team will have to rally together and try to continue their Euros journey without their talismanic striker.
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