Euro 2024: Luxembourg Coach ‘Runs Away’ to Locker Room With 7 Minutes Left During Portugal Hammering

Euro 2024: Luxembourg Coach ‘Runs Away’ to Locker Room With 7 Minutes Left During Portugal Hammering

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at September 13, 2023 at 9:36 AM
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  • Portugal sent Luxembourg to the cleaners in the 2024 Euro qualifiers
  • But it was Luxembourg's manager that made the headlines with his stunning gesture
  • He turned his back on his team with seven minutes left on the clock

Luxembourg manager Luc Holtz left football fans bewildered with his reaction following his team's humbling defeat against Portugal on Monday, September 11.

Holtz, whose side was on a three-game winning run in the 2024 Euro qualifiers, witnessed a thorough dismantling by a merciless Portugal squad led by Bruno Fernandes.

Luc Holtz, Luxembourg, Portugal, Euro 2024
Luc Holtz decided he had seen enough as his side was battered by Portugal. Photos by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images and Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

The Manchester United ace delivered a performance of such magnificence that it left the European minnows reeling as Portugal cruised to a resounding 9-0 victory at the Estadio Algarve, according to Eurosport.

The victory catapulted the 2016 European champions to the brink of securing their place in next year's competition.

They currently reign supreme in Group J, boasting a flawless record of six wins in six games, scoring an impressive 24 goals in the process.

Luxembourg coach turns his back on his team

While the headlines were awash with accolades for the victorious hosts, the Luxembourg gaffer managed to garner attention for all the wrong reasons, Daily Star reports.

In the dying moments of the match, his curious decision left everyone scratching their heads.

The 54-year-old coach was observed heading toward the locker room after witnessing Bruno Fernandes net his first goal of the game, which was also Portugal's eighth, in the 83rd minute.

While the Manchester United maestro celebrated with his teammates, Holtz seemed convinced that he had seen enough of the debacle and made a swift exit towards the tunnel.

Regrettably, for him, the humiliation did not cease in his absence.

As if to add insult to injury, substitute Joao Felix conjured a beautiful goal to ensure Portugal secured their most substantial victory in international football, leaving Holtz's puzzling departure etched in the annals of football curiosities.

How Portugal humiliated Holtz's Luxembourg

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Bruno Fernandes orchestrated Portugal's spectacular performance as they demolished Luxembourg, all while missing their suspended talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.

Fernandes, who had previously secured Portugal's victory against Slovakia, masterfully crafted three goals for his team, contributing to their goal-scoring spree. The United star himself also found the back of the net during the match.

Goncalo Ramos, Diogo Jota, and Goncalo Inacio all netted twice, while Ricardo Horta and Joao Felix each added their names to the score sheet, completing Portugal's emphatic triumph.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
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