​Thibaut Courtois has suggested that he could have carried on for Belgium in their World Cup 2026 quarter-final defeat to Spain, despite suffering a thigh injury in the second half. The Real Madrid goalkeeper was visibly distressed and was substituted in the 70th minute for Senne Lammens, whose late error allowed Mikel Merino to clinch the match and send Belgium home. Courtois clutched his left thigh as he left the field but later said the injury did not feel overly limiting; he attributed the substitution to the coach’s decision rather than a lack of viability to continue.
Afterwards, Courtois explained in the mixed zone that he initially felt something near his muscle following a long kick at the start of the second half. He proceeded to make several saves and felt fine, which convinced him to keep playing. He then struck another long ball and felt the issue flare up just a bit more. “You know it’s something muscular, and you need to be careful,” he said. He wanted to push on for five or ten more minutes to test his capacity, noting that his form and confidence remained solid during these moments. “I was feeling good, I was making saves, and I wasn’t disturbed in making them,” he added. The primary disturbance, he clarified, was in his long-range kick. Ultimately, the decision rested with the coach, and Courtois accepted it, emphasizing that it was not a problem of willpower but a precautionary measure to protect the player.
In addition to his own situation, Courtois offered support to his fellow goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was culpable for a late error that allowed Spain to snatch a dramatic winner. The Manchester United loanee has a “strong personality,” according to Courtois, and the Belgian No. 1 expressed confidence that Lammens would grow from the setback. “I gave him a big hug—there’s not much more I can do at this moment,” Courtois said. “He’s a great goalkeeper, and he will only get stronger from this; he has a lot of personality.”
For Courtois personally, walking off at the end of a World Cup quarter-final is never easy, and he conceded that he was not pleased to leave such a crucial match. He said Belgium would take time to rest over the coming weeks and would assess the injury to determine its extent. The 2026 World Cup setback means Belgium now shifts their focus to the next steps, with the aim of returning to full fitness and form in preparation for future competitions.
Spain’s victory over Belgium has set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash with France in Dallas on Tuesday, a repeat of the Euro 2024 semi-final in which Spain emerged victorious 2-1. The match will be watched with keen interest as Spain pursue back-to-back European success while France look to block their progress and claim a place in another major final. The semi-final signals a continuation of both teams’ intense, all-European rivalry, with both sides determined to reach the final and lift more silverware on the global stage.