Thibaut Courtois defends Senne Lammens after error costs Belgium in World Cup defeat
Thibaut Courtois has publicly supported teammate Senne Lammens after a late error led to Belgium's World Cup quarter-final defeat against Spain. Courtois, who was substituted due to injury, praised Lammens' character and resilience.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the high-pressure nature of international football and the importance of team morale during major tournaments.
Football World Championship Thibaut Courtois defends Senne Lammens after error costs Belgium in World Cup defeat Thibaut Courtois defends Senne Lammens after error costs Belgium in World Cup defeat AFP Thibaut Courtois is replaced by Senne Lammens during Belgium's World Cup quarter-final loss to Spain. PAUL ELLIS / AFP Thibaut Courtois rallied behind Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens on Friday after the Manchester United stopper's agonising late blunder gifted Spain a 2-1 victory in their World Cup quarter-final.
Real Madrid star Courtois exited the game in the 71st minute after complaining of a muscular problem, making way for 24-year-old understudy Lammens at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
But Lammens' appearance off the bench ended in calamity, when he failed to deal with a long-range strike from Pau Cubarsi , and Mikel Merino pounced to blast in an 88th-minute winner for Spain.
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