Euro 2024: Luxembourg Coach ‘runs away’ to locker room with 7 minutes left during Portugal hammering

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.

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.

???? - The manager of Luxemburg has had enough. He is leaving his squad behind with 7 minutes still on the clock. pic.twitter.com/7sDhpavn6l

— ???????????? ???????????????? ???? (@TheEuropeanLad) September 11, 2023