The Nations League match between the Netherlands and Hungary was halted early in the first half due to a medical emergency involving coach Adam Szalai.
Just seven minutes were on the clock when match officials were alerted to an urgent situation on the Hungary bench. Coaches and substitutes rushed to help as others formed a protective ring around 36-year-old Szalai to shield him from view.
A physical barrier was then erected as Szalai received medical treatment on the ground by the dugout before being taken down the tunnel. Hungary captain Dominik Szobiszlai, who plays his club football for Liverpool, was spotted wiping tears from his eyes while the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam fell practically silent.
The Hungarian FA have now confirmed that Szalai, who retired last year and has since taking up a job on Hungary manager Marco Rossi’s backroom staff, is in a stable condition.
Their statement read: “Adam Szalai fell ill in the first minutes of the Netherlands-Hungary match, but his condition is stable and he is conscious. Minutes ago, he was transported by ambulance to an Amsterdam hospital for examination.”
After a 10-minute delay, officials restarted the Nations League Group A3 match. And the Netherlands were almost immediately awarded a penalty, which was converted by Wout Weghorst.
Tonight’s incident comes less than five months after Hungary striker Barnabas Varga suffered a serious injury at Euro 2024. The 30-year-old’s head made contact with the shoulder of Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn, leaving him with a fractured cheekbone and a concussion.
Screens were put up to shield Varga from view during a lengthy delay. Rossi said after the match: “Varga is okay. Unfortunately he will be operated on because he suffered a fracture. We will see. If we progress in the tournament for sure he will not be with us.”
Hungary have found it tough in the Nations League’s top division, with their only victory in four games prior to their Amsterdam trip coming at winless Bosnia and Herzegovina last month. Szoboszlai and co. drew at home to the Netherlands, contested a stalemate at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and were thrashed 5-0 in Germany.
Their final clash of the campaign will come at home to Germany on Tuesday, but long-serving Rossi may not need anything from the tie to avoid relegation, with Bosnia and Herzegovina set to finish bottom of the group.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk