​Thibaut Courtois spoke glowingly in support of Belgium’s substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens on Friday, after the Manchester United goalkeeper’s difficult late error gifted Spain a 2-1 victory in the World Cup quarter-final. Courtois, a Real Madrid star, left the field in the 71st minute with what was described as a muscular issue, making way for the 24-year-old Lammens at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Lammens’ arrival as a late substitute ended in misfortune when he failed to deal with a long-range strike from Pau Cubarsi, allowing Mikel Merino to pounce and fire home an 88th-minute winner for Spain. The moment left the Belgium camp reeling, but Courtois offered quiet encouragement as he reflected on the incident and the bigger picture for his teammate.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper, who told reporters he would have preferred to stay on the pitch, said he had initially hoped to continue but accepted the decision to substitute him. He also revealed that he had felt pain in his right leg early in the second half following a clearance but still wanted to press on. “Obviously, I wanted to continue, but the coach wanted someone 100%,” Courtois explained. “I wanted to try to play maybe five or ten minutes because I was feeling good. I was making saves, and I was not disturbed to make those saves. So that’s a decision of the coach, and that’s not a problem.”
Reflecting on the disappointment of the quarter-final exit, Courtois added: “Obviously you’re not happy when you have to leave a World Cup quarter-final. But yeah, sometimes it is what it is. You can’t change it.” He also looked ahead, noting that Lammens would have holidays, then would regroup in Manchester and look forward to a strong season.
Belgian defender Brandon Mechele joined the chorus of support for Lammens, emphasising that it was a learning moment. “It’s a learning moment for him,” Mechele said. “It wasn’t the easiest ball. I think it bounced just in front of him. And we, as defenders, could have helped him by following up maybe more. So he needs to learn from this, and as a group we have to be there for each other and help each other.”
The incident underscored the fragile nature of knockout football, where a single moment can alter the trajectory of a match and define a young player’s early international experience. Courtois’ empathy for Lammens highlighted the strength of France’s Belgian contingent mentality: a blend of resilience, mutual support, and a willingness to shoulder collective responsibility in the wake of a painful setback.
In the immediate aftermath, the focus shifted to how Belgium would react to the result and what the performance would mean for Lammens’ development. The club-level arc of Lammens’ career, already notable for his rapid ascent, is likely to feature more senior responsibilities in the future, and the experience gained at a major tournament stage could prove crucial as he continues to mature as a goalkeeper.
Looking ahead, the Belgian camp will want to translate this setback into a catalyst for growth, recognizing that Lammens’ error, while costly in the moment, is a teachable moment that can galvanize the squad. Courtois’ public shows of support will be remembered as a touchstone for how the team handles adversity: with unity, empathy, and a shared commitment to helping one another rise from disappointment.
As for Spain, the late winner confirmed their competitive edge and underscored their ability to seize momentum when opportunities arise. For Merino and Cubarsi, the decisive goal will stand as a reminder of how patience and persistence in the attacking third can pay off against a well-organized Belgian defense. The quarter-final’s conclusion set the stage for a broader discussion about how young players cope with pressure and how squads balance the urgency of immediate results with the longer-term aims of player development and squad harmony.