Man Utd star’s horrific mistake knocks his nation out of World Cup with teammate in tears
Manchester United keeper Senne Lammens suffered an absolute nightmare at the World Cup, with a late mistake dumping Belgium out of the tournament
Senne Lammens after his mistake in Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final vs Spain(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Thibaut Courtois was spotted in tears after being withdrawn from Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final encounter with Spain. The Real Madrid shot-stopper was replaced by Senne Lammens in the 72nd minute – with a shocking mistake from the Manchester United keeper then dumping the other Red Devils out of the tournament.
Courtois collapsed in the sweltering Los Angeles heat and was witnessed grasping his left thigh in the 67th minute. The ex-Chelsea star then looked capable of carrying on following a short stoppage.
However, the 34-year-old was eventually unable to shake off his knock before being withdrawn for Lammens moments later. The goalkeeper required comforting from Belgium’s backroom staff after being taken off during his 21st World Cup outing.
Courtois’ reaction was entirely understandable given his age suggests this could have marked his final World Cup appearance. And the experienced keeper’s substitute, Lammens, endured a World Cup debut to forget after fumbling a strike which Mikel Merino capitalised on to fire Spain 2-1 ahead.
Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!
As Spain pushed for a late winner, space opened in front of Pau Cubarsi, with the Barcelona youngster firing an effort towards goal from distance. Lammens attempted to gather the tame effort, but it bounced up and hit his chest. That saw the loose ball fall into the path of Merino, who duly fired a rebound into the roof of the net.
This followed Fabian Ruiz firing La Roja in front on the half-hour mark before Charles de Ketelaere levelled matters in the 41st minute. Merino’s strike then arrived, as Spain booked a tantalising semi-final showdown with France.
Yet Belgium will be left pondering whether they might have emerged victorious against Luis de la Fuente’s side had Courtois avoided injury. Former England midfielder Danny Murphy remarked on BBC commentary that Lammens faced “big shoes to fill” prior to his blunder.
He stated: “Courtois is obviously devastated. Something has happened where he is unable to continue. He’s in tears which might also suggest it is something worse.
“Lammens has had a brilliant season at Manchester United, but he is arguably replacing the best goalkeeper in the world. Huge boots to fill.”
Courtois’ former Chelsea teammate and ex-Spain international Cesar Azpilicueta, however, believed that his nation always had the upper hand in their quarter-final match against Rudi Garcia’s side.
The 36-year-old commented: “Spain were in control and it looks like it was played back from the last game against Portugal – another last-minute winner.
“Spain looked in total confidence. Even when Belgium got the equaliser, they felt calm and they kept playing their game.”
La Roja will now face France on Tuesday at 8pm BST in the first semi-final.
