Belgium’s World Cup dream ended in painful fashion as substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens suffered a nightmare cameo in the dramatic 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Spain.
Thibaut Courtois was beside himself after he was forced off due to injury in Belgium’s quarter-final clash with Spain
His replacement Senne Lammens was heartbreakingly at fault for Mikel Merino’s goal
The Manchester United goalkeeper was thrown into one of the biggest moments of his career after Thibaut Courtois was forced off with an injury in the second half. Until then, Courtois had been one of Belgium’s most important players on the night, keeping the score level at 1-1 despite sustained Spanish pressure.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper appeared to feel pain in his left thigh midway through the second half. He initially received treatment during the hydration break and briefly looked as though he might be able to continue. Moments later, however, Belgium made the change, with Lammens sent on in his place.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper felt something in his left thigh and received treatment in the second-half
The Manchester United star cut a miserable figure after conceding at the worst possible time
As Courtois took his seat on the bench, the scale of the blow became clear. The veteran goalkeeper was visibly emotional and was consoled by teammates and staff, knowing his tournament may have been ending at the worst possible time. For Belgium, losing such an experienced figure at that stage of a tense knockout tie was a huge psychological setback.
Lammens had little time to settle. Spain immediately continued to test Belgium’s back line, with Lamine Yamal repeatedly threatening down the flank and forcing the substitute goalkeeper into uncomfortable moments. With extra time beginning to look possible, Belgium simply needed composure and concentration to survive the final minutes.
But in the 87th minute, the decisive moment arrived. Lammens failed to hold an initial effort inside the six-yard box, spilling the ball into danger. Mikel Merino, Spain’s super-sub and late-game specialist at this tournament, reacted quickest and buried the rebound to put Spain 2-1 ahead.
It was a heartbreaking moment for the young goalkeeper, who cut a devastated figure after the ball hit the net. BBC commentators and pundits were quick to point out how cruel the situation was, especially given that Lammens had entered the match cold and under enormous pressure in a World Cup quarter-final.
Courtois was among the first to comfort his replacement after the final whistle. Speaking later, he explained that he had felt significant pain in his quadriceps but accepted the manager’s decision to take him off, stressing that the team had to come first.
Belgium manager Rudi Garcia defended the substitution, saying elite knockout football demands players who are fully fit and able to perform at maximum intensity. He praised Courtois’ display before the injury but admitted that not having him at 100 per cent was a major blow.
For Spain, the late winner sealed a place in the World Cup semi-finals, where they will face tournament favourites France. For Belgium, the exit will hurt deeply. They had fought hard, survived pressure and still looked alive in the closing stages, only for an injury and one costly mistake to decide their fate.
Lammens will know the moment will follow him, but the circumstances were brutally difficult. A young goalkeeper came into a pressure cooker, replacing one of the greatest keepers of his generation, and Spain punished the smallest opening. In knockout football, that is often enough to end a nation’s dream.
