Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois leaves his team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Spain with an apparent injury in the second half. Multiple reports say the match is level at 1-1 when Courtois is substituted, and he exits around the 70th–71st minute. Footage and accounts describe Courtois in tears while walking off the pitch after he appears to feel pain, including reports that he tries to continue before being replaced.
Belgium’s replacement goalkeeper is Senne Lammens, who comes on in Courtois’ place. NDTV reports that Courtois later speaks about his injury and backs Lammens following Belgium’s defeat. Other coverage notes that Spain advances to the semi-finals after winning the quarter-final.
One report also adds that Belgium’s captain Youri Tielemans is injured during pre-match warm-up and that Belgium faces further disruption from players already sidelined, alongside Courtois’ injury during the match.
