Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to miss Euro qualifier amid reports of captaincy row

Belgian media reported on Monday that Courtois, who played in Belgium’s 1-1 draw against Austria on Saturday, was disappointed with coach Domenico Tedesco’s handling of the captaincy.

In the absence of Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who missed the match against Austria after picking up an injury in the Champions League final, Tedesco had given the captaincy duties to striker Romelu Lukaku, who responded by scoring Belgium’s equalizer.

The Het Nieuwsblad newspaper reported that Courtois — who has played 102 matches for the Red Devils — was vexed by the decision and did not show up when players gathered back at the team’s hotel to prepare for the Estonia game.

Tedesco had announced Saturday that it would be Courtois’ turn to wear the armband against Estonia. Strasbourg goalkeeper Matz Sels is now expected to replace Courtois in goal.

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Austria has a three-point lead over Belgium, which has one match in hand in Group F. While Belgium travels to Estonia, Austria hosts Sweden.