Belgium Proud Despite 'Bitter' World Cup Exit to Spain

Belgium's World Cup journey concluded with a "bitter" yet "honorable" defeat against Spain in a hard-fought quarter-final match. Despite the loss, Belgian fans and football experts expressed pride in the team's performance, acknowledging that they "put up a fight" against the Spanish side.

Former Belgian player Joachim Mununga described the feeling as "wanting more" in the heat of the moment, reflecting a sentiment shared by many who believed in the team's potential to win. The francophone newspaper Le Soir noted the Belgians' resilience, but pointed to a "fatal error" by goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who replaced Thibaut Courtois during the game. Frédéric Larsimont, a correspondent in Los Angeles, summarized the outcome as "Cruel, but nothing undignified."

Supporters gathered in Brussels' Dumon square to watch the match on a large screen, experiencing the tension and emotion of the game. "They fought to the death, we can be proud," one fan stated, with another adding that "losing to Spain is logical." The match also saw a significant announcement from star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who expressed a desire to take a "break" from the Belgian national team.

Courtois, who plays for Real Madrid, indicated he would prefer a "quiet year" away from international duty, including the Nations League, to focus on recovery. "The decision will ultimately be made by the coach. If they accept it, I could continue; if not, it will be the end," Courtois said in an interview, leaving his future with the national team uncertain.

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Cruel, but nothing undignified