Courtois Stays Behind as Belgium Falls to Spain

Belgium’s World Cup 2026 quarter‑final dream unraveled when Thibaut Courtois was forced off the pitch early in the second half. The Real Madrid keeper felt a twinge near his thigh after a long kick and, despite wanting to soldier on, was replaced by coach Rudi Garcia’s choice. “I was only disturbed to kick long,” Courtois said, acknowledging the decision was not his to make.

The substitution came in the 70th minute, swapping Courtois for Senne Lammens. The switch proved costly as Lammens’ mistake in the dying minutes allowed Mikel Merino to strike the winner for Spain and send Belgium home. Courtois, who was in tears after leaving, later praised Lammens, hugging the young goalkeeper and calling him a “great keeper” with a “strong personality.”

After the match, Courtois admitted he would need time to assess the thigh strain, noting he had made several saves and felt “good” before the injury. He added that the incident left a bitter taste, especially for a quarter‑final exit, but indicated he would rest and monitor the injury over the next few weeks.

Spain sets up All‑European showdown

Spain advanced to the semi‑finals with a 1‑0 victory and will face France in Dallas on Tuesday. The clash mirrors their Euro 2024 semi where Spain triumphed 2‑1, giving the Spanish side a chance to make amends after a narrow win. The matchup promises a testing test for both sides as they eye a spot in the final.

The injury mishap for Courtois adds another layer of difficulty for Belgium as they prepare for future tournaments. With the squad now focused on recovery and rebuilding, the memories of this quarter‑final loss will likely fuel a stronger resolve heading into upcoming qualifying cycles. Meanwhile, Spain’s progression underscores their depth and determination to dominate European football on the global stage.