Inglewood: Courtois backs Lammens after World Cup quarterfinal error
Courtois’ Injury and Replacement
During the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Belgium and Spain at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced to leave the field due to injury. With the score tied 1-1 in the second half, Courtois experienced pain in his quadriceps after taking a goal kick. Despite attempting to continue, he was substituted in the 71st minute, visibly emotional as he departed the pitch.
Courtois later explained that he felt a sharp pain in his quadriceps on his second goal kick and informed the team that he could no longer kick long balls. Although he believed he could have remained in goal, the coach decided to replace him, prioritizing the team’s needs. This injury raises concerns about his availability for the start of Real Madrid’s 2026-27 season, especially given his recent return from a previous right quadriceps injury.
His replacement, Senne Lammens, made only his third international appearance, becoming the first goalkeeper other than Courtois to play for Belgium in the World Cup since Geert De Vlieger in 2002. The moment proved challenging for Lammens. In the 88th minute, he mishandled a shot from Pau Cubarsí, allowing Mikel Merino to score and secure a 2-1 victory for Spain.
Support for Lammens and Team Performance
Following the match, Courtois offered his support to Lammens. He embraced him and stated, “He’s a great goalkeeper. He will only get stronger from this.” Courtois also defended Lammens against criticism, attributing the error to bad luck and noting the dry pitch conditions. He emphasized that Lammens had a strong season at United and did not deserve blame for the incident.
Belgium’s journey in the tournament saw them recover from a difficult group stage to challenge Spain in the quarterfinal. The team faced several setbacks, including injuries to key players. Amadou Onana was on crutches due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and Youri Tielemans was withdrawn from the lineup just before kickoff due to a warm-up injury. Additionally, Zeno Debast was omitted from the squad due to a disagreement between Belgium and Sporting regarding his fitness.
Despite these challenges, Belgium showed resilience. Jérémy Doku displayed an improved performance, creating opportunities and challenging Pedro Porro. Charles De Ketelaere, after training with Romelu Lukaku, scored Belgium’s equalizer in the 39th minute with a header from a pass by Timothy Castagne. The team’s resolve was noted as stronger than in previous tournaments, such as the World Cup in Qatar four years prior and Euro 2024.
Reflections on the Future
The match marked Thibaut Courtois’s 21st World Cup appearance, placing him second only to Germany’s Manuel Neuer among goalkeepers in tournament history. After the game, Courtois mentioned he was considering a temporary break from international football. However, Head Coach Rudi Garcia confirmed that Courtois had not discussed this decision with him, the federation, or his teammates.
The Belgium squad, often referred to as a “golden generation,” fought valiantly against Spain, with veterans like Axel Witsel and Romelu Lukaku entering the game in the second half. While the team ultimately exited the tournament, their performance was seen as a proud effort for a country of its size. The Spain victory sent them to their first semi-final since 2010.
Courtois expressed his disappointment at leaving a World Cup quarterfinal but also pride in the team’s achievements. He highlighted Belgium’s ability as a smaller nation to perform well in major tournaments. The team’s efforts against Spain, despite the outcome, were seen as a testament to their determination until the final whistle.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
