While Belgium were expected to reach the semifinal of the 2026 World Cup in Spain, injuries were a decisive factor for the squad. The absence of Youri Tielemans before kickoff was compounded by Thibaut Courtois‘ muscle problem, prompting manager Rudi Garcia to replace him.
Courtois explained: “I wholesomely felt pain in my quadriceps. But I had no difficulty staying in goal, only taking long kicks. Ultimately, the manager decided to take me off. That’s fine because the team comes first.”
The 2‑1 defeat was further painful by its conclusion. Courtois received medical attention before being substituted by Senne Lammens in the 71st minute. Lammens left a rebound for Mikel Merino to score near the end after an ineffective shot from Pau Cubarsí.
Courtois Requests Long International Break
Courtois has historically been a cornerstone of Belgian football, not only representing the nation at the club level with Real Madrid but also serving as the national team’s custodian for many years.
Lammens was the goalkeeper who replaced him (Luke Hales/Gettyasse Images)
That period was not without challenges; he had been sidelined from 2023 to 2025 after a dispute with former manager Domenico Tedesco over the captaincy. Now, he has expressed a desire to take a lengthy hiatus from international duty before returning.
Courtois added: “I’d like to take a break from the Nations League, which isn’t that vital, and return for the Euro qualifying campaign. It’s a decision that must be made co‑ordinately with the federation. If they agree, I’ll feel poised to return; otherwise, today would have been my last match.”
Courtois on Real Madrid
With the competition nearing its end, clubs are already preparing for upcoming moves, and Real Madrid has been notably active – adding new signings and hiring Jose Mourinho as manager. Courtois commented: “Real Madrid have recruited top talent and brought in a premier manager. Now it’s up to us to respond.”
