Wout Weghorst was used as part of an attempted rescue act, just 33 minutes into the Netherlands' crushing defeat to France.
The Manchester United forward started Holland's opening Euro 2024 qualifier at the Stade de France on the bench, and watched as his teammates were torn apart by the World Cup runners-up.
Goals from Antoine Griezmann, Dayot Upamencano and Kylian Mbappe put Didier Deschamps side 3-0 up inside 22 minutes and it prompted a quick response from the Dutch.
Boss Ronald Koeman made the merciful decision to hook Ajax youngster Kenneth Taylor and replace him with the experience of United striker Weghorst, with only half an hour of the game played.
Taylor, who has only been capped four times previously, was the sacrificial lamb for Holland, but Weghorst's introduction sadly didn't turn the game around.
It was far cry from Weghorst's famous impact off the bench at the World Cup in December. The 30-year-old came on as a late sub in the quarter-final against Argentina and scored two late goals to draw the game level.
The second of which from a clever free-kick routine used at his former club Wolfsburg in a game against Arminia Bielefeld in 2020.
Yet, Weghorst was unable to have the same effect in Holland's opening qualifier for Euro 2024.
Mbappe, who was making his first appearance as France's new skipper, added a forth goal late in the second half to kick-off his team's qualifying campaign with a real bang.
It was the worst possible start for new Holland manager Ronald Koeman, who's in his second spell as Dutch coach having replaced Louis van Gaal after the World Cup.
The former Southampton and Everton boss will expect to bounce back from the defeat on Monday, when Holland host Gibraltar in Group B.
While France will travel to Dublin to face a Republic of Ireland side, fresh of a friendly win against Latvia earlier this week.
Davichi
3
that is why France has one win in eight meetings
Don't mind all these clowns with their seasoning. 😂🤣 They think Argentina is Netherlands.
Hudacemuz
0
France has a better squad than holland They will beat you blue black Argentina is just lucky in that final
France didn’t have their strongest team Also
Blaqpablo
0
France will trash Argentina if they meet again
that is why France has one win in eight meetings
Zohadelz
0
France has a better squad than holland They will beat you blue black Argentina is just lucky in that final
France will trash Argentina if they meet again
Mbenlovert
0
France has a better squad than holland They will beat you blue black Argentina is just lucky in that final
keep crying.
Klef122
3
France has a better squad than holland They will beat you blue black Argentina is just lucky in that final
AmoGmanchester
0
koaman not a coah he's poor in game tactics
Kinetics231
1
So Netherlands played with 10 men after 33 minutes. No wonder they ate 4 goals
marquesking
0
So the went to France on the 24 and removed the 20 to be there 4 nothing. As if that was not enough, they removed a player and added a -2 player (Weighorst) to leave them 9 against 11..
fedcersu
0
Koeman is bad luck coach everywhere he goes.
JijangaBilo
0
And weghost played for France 🇫🇷 instead
[image]
[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Yekadinops
2
Striker 🇿🇲Tolo
Official_Baldwin
0
that was stupid of koeman, put experienced players first
RedPos
1
MU should buy striker from atlanta and terminate weghorst loan contract.
Gudiest
2
And weghost played for France 🇫🇷 instead
Colito
1
So you opted to be 10 men on the pitch ?
Shollay304
0
Forget changing the game He can't do anything let's be honest
😹😹😹 But he can run the whole field
dauabcituy
0
As a coach you need to know the strength of every player so you can use them accordingly. Koeman pls ask ETH how to use this guy, all for your benefit
He does nothing let's be true to ourselves Even if he's not on the pitch it doesn't change anything cause he just runs aimlessly
dauabcituy
0
How will you expect Wout to change the game after 3 nil.... When not Messi or Ronaldo
Forget changing the game He can't do anything let's be honest
Shollay304
5
How will you expect Wout to change the game after 3 nil.... When not Messi or Ronaldo
Football_only
2
Holland and Portugal are already not a Euro'26 contender as Koeman r Martinez sink them smoothly
zindikmsuz
0
As a coach you need to know the strength of every player so you can use them accordingly. Koeman pls ask ETH how to use this guy, all for your benefit
ETH just uses him.for run. liverpool and farnce doesnt matter one mans run.
ciupruyz
2
As a coach you need to know the strength of every player so you can use them accordingly. Koeman pls ask ETH how to use this guy, all for your benefit
Vezonic22
2
Is he really a forward? He is just there to help the midfield press for the ball and bla bla bla
Jaykaynnsnnskjbjsb
3
Flop