Thibaut Courtois Injury Forces Belgium Exit at World Cup: What Happened?

Thibaut Courtois injury forces Belgium exit at World Cup. The Real Madrid goalkeeper was replaced in the second half against Spain on 5 July 2026, with Senne Lammens coming on in his place.

What happened to Thibaut Courtois?

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with a left thigh injury during the World Cup quarter-final against Spain on 5 July 2026. Courtois pulled up with a thigh complaint shortly before the second-half hydration break and was taken off soon after. Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens came on in his place, making his first World Cup appearance at a crucial stage in the competition.

Courtois explained the injury after the game: "It was with a long kick at the beginning of the second half; I felt something near my muscle." "I made some saves. I felt okay, so I continued. Then, I kicked it long again and I felt it a bit more. So then, you know it's something muscular, and you need to be careful." "Obviously, I wanted to continue but the coach wanted someone 100%. So OK, it's his decision. I wanted to try to play maybe five, 10 more minutes to see because I was feeling good. I was making saves and I was not disturbed to make those saves."

Why did the injury matter for Thibaut Courtois?

The injury to Courtois was a key moment in the game. Spain took the lead in the first half with a Fabian Ruiz goal, but Belgium struck back soon after, Charles De Ketelaere nodding home from close range. The game remained level until the final minutes, when Lammens made a fatal mistake, allowing Mikel Merino to poke the match-winner for Spain.

What comes next for Thibaut Courtois?

Belgium are eliminated at the quarter-final stage, while Spain are set for a semi-final meeting with France. Courtois will now face a period of recovery and rehabilitation to get back to full fitness. The injury is a setback for the goalkeeper, who had been in good form for Belgium throughout the World Cup.

The World Cup quarter-final between Belgium and Spain was a closely contested match, with both teams creating chances throughout the game. However, the injury to Courtois proved to be a decisive factor in the outcome, and Belgium were ultimately unable to recover from the loss of their key player.

Belgium's elimination from the World Cup means that they will not be able to progress to the semi-finals, where they would have faced either Spain or France. The team will now regroup and look to the future, with a focus on rebuilding and improving for the next major tournament.

Thibaut Courtois's injury is a significant blow to Belgium's World Cup hopes, and the goalkeeper will be a key player to watch as the team looks to recover from this setback.