World Cup 2026: Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois forced off due to injury during quarterfinal loss to Spain
Thibaut Courtois was subbed off in the 71st minute of Belgium‘s World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Spain due to injury.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper left the SoFi Stadium field in tears after injury his quad. Courtois went down to make a save on Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal. He sat down as the teams took the second-half hydration break and was replaced by Senne Lammens minutes later after play resumed.
Courtois, in what potentially was his final game representing his country, was visibly upset as he walked to the Belgium bench.
“I took a goal kick and I felt a lot of pain in my quadriceps,” he said afterward. “I informed the coaching staff that I felt pain when taking long goal kicks, I had no problem with staying in goal though. In the end the manager decided to take me off, this is no problem as the team goes above everything.”
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Courtois, who has made 115 appearances for Belgium, had played well in the match, having made four saves on five shots on goal. Charles De Ketelaere answered Fabián Ruiz’s opening goal to level the score at 1-1, with the Belgium goalkeeper a big reason why the Red Devils were in the match.
It would get worse for Belgium 17 minutes after Courtois’ exit as Lammens, who was making his third international appearance, failed to contain a Pau Cubarsí shot. Spain’s Mikel Merino quickly rushed in to put home the rebound.
Belgium had entered the match dealing with an injury issue when Youri Tielemans was forced out after picking up a knock during warmups. He was replaced by Hans Vanaken in Rudi Garcia’s starting lineup.
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Spain would hold on for the final few minutes to win 2-1 and advance to the semifinals for the first time since they won the World Cup in 2010. They will next face France on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.