Haunting image of Liverpool midfielder in tears as he watches his coach collapse on the pitch
Hungary’s coach collapsed in the technical area during the Nations League group stage match against the Netherlands. Captain Dominik Szoboszlai was seen in tears.
The UEFA Nations League match between the Netherlands and Hungary on Saturday in Amsterdam was stopped for more than 10 minutes due to an involving a member of the away team’s coaching staff.
Referee Jesús Gil Manzano stopped the match after Hungary coach Adam Szalai collapsed. Witnesses said he may have had a seizure. A medical tent was set up on the pitch for doctors to treat Szalai.
Players and coaching staff from both teams were in, especially Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai. The Liverpool midfielder burst into tears.
However, Szoboszlai and his teammates decided to continue the match. Shortly after the match was resumed, the Netherlands took a 1-0 lead thanks to a penalty goal from former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst.
The official information from the Hungarian team said: “Adam Szalai had a health problem in the first minutes of the match between the Netherlands and Hungary, but his condition is now stable and he is conscious. He was taken to hospital in Amsterdam by ambulance for further examination.”
Adam Szalai, 36, was a prolific striker who scored 26 goals in 86 appearances for Hungary between 2009 and 2022.
He announced his retirement in July after spells with Basel, Mainz, Hannover, Hoffenheim and Schalke.
After retiring, Szalai joined Hungary’s coaching staff in October. In his first game in charge, Hungary held the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in Budapest.
Hungary’s hopes of another positive result against the Netherlands were dashed when they conceded a second penalty, which Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo converted to make it 2-0 to the hosts.
Denzel Dumfries then scored a third midway through the second half to end Hungary’s chances of a comeback, before Teun Koopmeiners completed a 4-0 win for the Netherlands.
The result ensures the Netherlands will finish second in Group A League 3, while Hungary are third. However, both teams still have a game in hand.
Hungary host group leaders Germany on Tuesday, while the Netherlands travel to Zenica to face Bosnia and Herzegovina.
