A serious-looking injury to Hungary’s Barnabas Varga overshadowed events on the field at the European Championship on Sunday.
The 29-year-old striker was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition after he collided with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn. As Gunn punched the ball with his right arm, Varga’s head appeared to collide with his trailing left arm. It was confirmed later on Sunday that Varga had suffered a fractured cheekbone.
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Referee Facundo Raul Tello Figueroa had immediately stopped play and medical staff entered the pitch to attend to both players. Varga was put into the recovery position while his Hungary team-mates gestured for more medical staff to come onto the field of play.
Sheets were put up around Varga and Hungary players also gathered around to shield him from view. A number of Hungary players were pictured in distress following the incident.
A stretcher was brought onto the field, with Hungary players running to the people carrying it to urge them to speed up.
Varga was taken off the pitch on the stretcher with sheets continuing to be held up around him. He was applauded by all sections of the MHPArena in Stuttgart.
The game was paused for six minutes before restarting in the 74th minute.
When play resumed, Hungary scored with almost the last kick of the game to win 1-0, eliminate Scotland and give themselves a chance of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
Below, we round up the rest of Sunday’s news from the Euros.
Germany’s momentum halted by Switzerland
Hosts Germany had looked imperious at this tournament, winning both of their opening games, but their party very nearly fell flat as they came close to losing to Switzerland.
The Swiss led 1-0 and appeared on course to win Group A, but Niclas Fullkrug’s 92nd-minute equaliser ensured a point for Julian Nagelsmann’s side and means it is they who progress to the last 16 as group winners.
For Germany, though, it was a reminder of the frailties that have existed before but that have been absent so far in this tournament. In recent times, they have had a fragility and have struggled when going through difficult periods in matches.
This Germany is not a battle-hardened team. For all their excellent attacking play in their first two matches — they became the first team since the Netherlands in 2008 to score seven times in their opening two group games — they do not yet possess the emotional resilience as a group to accept and play through it. Instead, it erodes their confidence and, ultimately, degrades the quality of their football. They become frantic, panicked, and are reminded of the bad experiences they have had over the past six years.
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They can take solace from the fighting spirit that earned them a draw and they will now prepare for a last-16 meeting with the runner-up from Group C, which contains England, Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia.
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor
Kane comes out fighting after criticism
England captain Harry Kane came out fighting on Sunday following criticism levelled at the team after their underwhelming 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday.
Kane, 30, reiterated that the group remains tight-knit and then, without specifically naming them, lamented the fact former England striker and UK TV presenter Gary Lineker described England’s most recent performance as ’s***’, with Alan Shearer, another former England international, also weighing in on the squad’s shortfalls.
“Everyone has their opinion, but the bottom line is we have not won anything as a nation for a long, long time and a lot of these players were part of that as well, so they know how tough it is,” said Kane.
“It is not digging anyone out. It is just the reality that they know that it is tough to play in these major tournaments and tough to play for England.
“I would never disrespect any player. All I would say is remember what it is like to wear the shirt and that their words are listened to. You do hear it.
“We all want to win a major tournament. Being as helpful as they can and building the lads up with confidence would be a much better way of going about it.”
As well as fighting back against the negativity, the Bayern Munich striker said there is no need to be concerned about his fitness, insisting he feels 100 per cent fit, though he did admit he needed to improve.
Spirits among the players remain high going into the Slovenia game on Tuesday, with the players’ families visiting for seven hours on Friday, where the children could play on the bouncy castles and eat from the burger trucks.
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Manager Gareth Southgate is likely to make changes to his team for the match, with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s position in midfield in doubt. Luke Shaw, who has not played since February 18 because of a hamstring injury, did not train with the squad on Saturday and remains a doubt.
Dan Sheldon
Increased security after pitch invaders target Ronaldo
Portugal’s 3-0 victory over Turkey on Saturday was marred by a series of pitch invaders bypassing stewards and making it onto the field of play.
A total of seven people attempted to reach Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, with several, including a child and an adult who put his arms around the 39-year-old’s neck, succeeding.
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Ronaldo: The performance, the pitch invaders and a moment of Portuguese purity
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez said the incidents at Borussia Dortmund’s stadium were a “concern” and could pose a danger to players.
In response, UEFA has said it is increasing security measures to prevent similar incidents.
A spokesperson for European football’s governing body added: “As a reminder, any incursion onto the pitch constitutes a breach of the stadium rules and will result in expulsion from the stadium, a ban from all tournament matches, and the filing of a formal criminal complaint for trespass.”
Ali Rampling
What’s next?
On Monday, it’s the turn of Group B. Spain are already through and certain of top spot. Italy will secure the runners-up position if they avoid defeat against Croatia, who will have a good chance of taking second place themselves if they beat the Italians. If Albania produce a shock against Spain, they too could make it through to the round of 16. It’s all to play for.
- Albania vs Spain (8pm BST/3pm ET)
- Croatia vs Italy (8pm BST/3pm ET)
(Top photo: Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images)