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Thibaut Courtois has expressed his support for Senne Lammens to recover from the costly error that sent Belgium tumbling out of the World Cup at Spain's hands.
Lammens came on for Courtois with roughly 20 minutes left in the quarterfinal after the Real Madrid shot-stopper felt discomfort in his quadricep while kicking the ball upfield.
It marked Lammens' first action at the World Cup, and his entry came at a critical moment as Spain sought to avoid extra time. La Roja had been leveled by Charles De Ketelaere following Fabián Ruiz's goal on the half-hour mark.
However, Manchester United's standout signing of the season made a blunder he'll struggle to forget, spilling Pau Cubarsí's low shot directly into the path of the charging Mikel Merino. The Spanish super-sub did what was needed, just as he had against Portugal in the round of 16, securing a semifinal showdown with France, who convincingly defeated Morocco in the World Cup's opening quarterfinal on Thursday.
Courtois: Not Much I Can Do for Lammens ... But He'll Be Fine
Courtois was visibly emotional after being substituted off the pitch, receiving comfort from his teammates in the immediate moments that followed. Less than 30 minutes later, it was Lammens who needed consoling.
"Senne, yeah I gave him a big hug, much more I cannot do," Courtois said after the match. "For goalkeepers it's a s--- feeling.
"He's a fantastic goalkeeper and he'll only come out stronger from this, so it's not a problem. There's not much more you can say to him, not much more advice to give. He's a tough guy, a strong character and I'm certain he'll be alright. He'll take a holiday, recharge, head to Manchester and have a brilliant season—I have absolutely no doubt about that."
Lammens' blunder stood in stark contrast to the impressive form he had shown throughout his debut season at Old Trafford. The 24-year-old was making only his third appearance for the national side—a testament to Courtois' standing in the squad since his return in 2025—and he lacked the composure that had quickly made him a fan favorite in Manchester after stepping in for André Onana.
Courtois to Consider International Future
It may not be long before Lammens takes over as Belgium's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. Courtois is entering the twilight of his career and has battled significant injuries in recent years, and may look to manage his workload in order to stay fit and extend his time at Real Madrid.
No decision has been reached yet, with Courtois hinting he could remain involved through the European Championships in 2028—provided the Belgian football federation want him around.
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"Ultimately, it's something we need to discuss with the coach and [Belgium sporting director] Vincent Mannaert," he said. "It might make sense to step away from the Nations League for a year—to get some breathing space in a packed schedule—and then come back for the qualifiers and possibly the Euros. But ultimately, that's a call for the coach and the federation to make.
"If they don't see it that way, I'll need to think carefully about whether I can keep returning. Otherwise, today may well have been my final appearance."