The match between the Netherlands and Hungary was suspended due to a medical emergency after Adam Szalai collapsed in the Hungarian dugout.
Just seven minutes into the game, the former footballer, who had joined the Hungarian staff as a coach, collapsed and was in need of serious medical attention.
As a result, the match was brought to a halt.It led to some distressing scenes inside the Johan Cruyff Arena, before Szalai was taken inside and away from the pitchside. In a show of respect, many surrounded the scene to protect the Hungarian coach from the cameras and keep him out of eye-shot.
The Match Was Temporarily SuspendedA medical update has been provided.
After the incident occurred, medical officials tended to Szalai and the decision was made to temporarily halt the match. It was eventually suspended while he received the important care and attention that was necessary.
A medical update has since been provided by MLSZ and Szalai is said to have been transported to a local hospital, and is stable and conscious. It is still currently unclear what caused the 36-year-old to collapse, but there’s solace in the fact he’s now awake and stable.
The match suspension ultimately only lasted around 15 minutes and the match was restarted shortly after the 20-minute mark. Once things got back underway, Netherlands won a penalty almost immediately and former Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst converted from the spot. They doubled their lead with another penalty, this time from Cody Gakpo, deep in injury time during the first-half.
Having entered the game on the same number of points in their Nations League group stage, the result could have major implications for both teams.
With the medical emergency earlier in the night, though, we’re reminded that some things are more important than football and Hungary can at least take solace in the fact that Szalai, who represented the nation 86 times as a player, is at least on the road to recovery and things weren’t as bad as first feared.
