Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez will not be going to the World Cup next summer after the Liverpool pair suffered heartbreak at the hands of Ireland.
Hungary only needed to secure a point in Budapest on Sunday to book themselves a play-off spot.
However, having led 2-1 heading into the final ten minutes of the game, Szoboszlai‘s team imploded. Troy Parrott equalised after 80 minutes and duly grabbed a winner in added-on time.
Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
For Szoboszlai, Kerkez and their Hungary teammates, there was to be no reprieve. Dreams were shattered in an instant.
The Liverpool duo must now deal with the sting of knowing they will not be at next summer’s tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico.
As captain and poster boy for the Hungary national team, Szoboszlai will carry that burden more than anyone else. And in the aftermath of a shocking turn of events on Sunday, the 25-year-old could utter only seven words.
Photo by Robert Szaniszlo/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesDominik Szoboszlai can barely speak after Hungary defeat
Playing and captaining his national team clearly means the world to Szoboszlai. It was not a surprise to see him in tears at the final whistle.
He deserves credit for picking himself up and facing the cameras, but the No. 8 could barely say a word when interviewed by Hungarian outlet M4.
READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano responds to rumours of Real Madrid interest in Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai
Do you want Ibrahima Konate to sign a new contract and stay at Liverpool? 
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
As quoted by Nemzeti Sport, Szoboszlai simply answered ‘very much’ when asked how much his heart aches after the last-gasp defeat.
The interviewer continues to speak without getting much in return from the subject, with pain and resignation etched across Szoboszlai’s features.
Finally, the Liverpool star does speak again when it is put to him that Sunday’s match demonstrated how unfair football can be at times.
“It looks like it, yes,” he said.
Szoboszlai must channel Hungary pain
This will not be an easy moment for Szoboszlai to simply overcome. Hungary do not make it to many World Cups, and this one was firmly in their grasp.
As the captain and figurehead, the Liverpool midfielder will likely blame himself for his country’s failure.
While that could affect his excellent form for the Reds, it does not have to be the case. Instead, Szoboszlai could channel his anger and frustration into kicking on yet again.
With one dream taken away from him, there remains the carrot of a Champions League final in Budapest scheduled for next May.
It would be a special way for Szoboszlai to come back if he can lift club football’s most prestigious trophy in his home country. All is not lost just yet, but for Hungary, there is no escaping that their quest has ended in failure.