Sports · 11 July 2026
Belgium's Courtois leaves World Cup quarterfinal with injury, Spain win 2-1
Кирилл Венедиктов via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was replaced in the 71st minute of their World Cup quarterfinal loss to Spain on Friday due to a muscle injury. Coach Rudi Garcia decided to take him off because he could no longer make long kicks, even though Courtois wanted to continue playing. His replacement, Senne Lammens, then spilled a shot from Pau Cubarsí, letting Mikel Merino score Spain's winning goal just 17 minutes later.
Reported by ESPN · How we write briefs