Thibaut Courtois Supports Senne Lammens After Injury During World Cup Quarterfinal

In a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal, Belgium's Thibaut Courtois was forced to leave the match due to injury, leading to Senne Lammens stepping in as goalkeeper. Despite the challenging circumstances, Courtois offered words of encouragement to Lammens, emphasizing the growth that can come from such experiences. The match ended in a 2-1 defeat for Belgium against Spain, with Lammens facing a tough start as he conceded a crucial goal shortly after entering the game. This article explores the events surrounding the match and the implications for both players and teams.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 11, 2026, 05:19 IST

Courtois' Injury and Lammens' Challenge

In a recent match at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Belgium's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois expressed his support for his substitute, Senne Lammens, after being sidelined due to an injury during the quarterfinal loss to Spain. Courtois was replaced in the 71st minute, with Lammens stepping in as the new keeper.

The injury proved detrimental, as Lammens struggled to handle a long-range shot from Pau Cubarsi shortly after entering the game, leading to a rebound goal by Mikel Merino, which secured Spain's 2-1 victory.

Post-match, Courtois comforted Lammens, recognizing the pressure on a goalkeeper who enters a match at such a critical moment. He stated, "I gave him a big hug. I know how tough this feeling can be for goalkeepers, but he is a talented player who will grow from this experience."

Courtois also shared details about his injury, mentioning that he felt discomfort initially but continued playing until the pain intensified. "I sensed something in my muscle, but after making a few saves, I thought I could keep going. However, after a long kick, the pain increased," he explained.

The decision for Courtois to exit was made by team manager Rudi Garcia, who prioritized having a fully fit player on the field. "I wanted to stay on for a few more minutes, but the coach opted for someone who was 100% fit. I was performing well and making saves, but the long kicks were problematic," he added.

Spain's victory over Belgium not only secured their place in the semifinals against France but also extended their unbeaten streak to 36 matches, matching Argentina's record and closing in on Italy's world-record of 37.