Thibaut Courtois was replaced in goal by Senne Lammens on Friday during the second half of the 2026 World Cup quarter-final between Belgium and Spain in Los Angeles.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper suffered a hamstring injury in the 64th minute and had to be replaced by the Manchester United shot-stopper who was making his World Cup debut.
Courtois appeared to be in tears as he made way for Lammens shortly after the hydration break in the second half.
The 24-year-old Lammens came on for only his third cap for the Red Devils. He has previously started a World Cup qualifier and an international friendly after impressing in his debut season in Manchester.
Courtois had hinted early in the tournament that this could be his last World Cup campaign for the national team. He has finished 115 times for his country and was part of the squad that finished third at the quadrennial event in 2018.
Published on July 11, 2026
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/martha-ann-lillard-iron-lung-1-071026-54c0f24250c948699adb443f0f397c2e.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "El último superviviente de la polio en un pulmón de hierro muere en EE. UU. después de que una máquina empezara a estropearse y nadie pudiera arreglarla")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/martha-ann-lillard-iron-lung-1-071026-54c0f24250c948699adb443f0f397c2e.jpg?w=100&resize=100,75&ssl=1 "El último superviviente de la polio en un pulmón de hierro muere en EE. UU. después de que una máquina empezara a estropearse y nadie pudiera arreglarla")
