Courtois's World Cup ends in tears as Belgium crashes out

Belgium's World Cup hopes were dashed in the quarterfinals with a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Spain. The match took a dramatic turn when starting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off the field in tears due to a quadriceps injury with 20 minutes remaining.

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I hugged him tightly. That's all I can do right now. It's a crappy feeling for a goalkeeper.

His replacement, Senne Lammens, a promising young talent, found himself in an unenviable position. Just minutes after coming on, Lammens was unable to handle a long-range shot, spilling the ball for Spain's Mikel Merino to score the decisive goal in the 88th minute. This marked the first time Spain had conceded a goal in the tournament.

Despite the bitter outcome, Courtois offered words of comfort to his young teammate. "I hugged him tightly. That's all I can do right now. It's a crappy feeling for a goalkeeper," Courtois said, emphasizing Lammens's bright future. "He's a fantastic goalkeeper with a promising future. This moment will make him stronger. No problem."

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He's a fantastic goalkeeper with a promising future. This moment will make him stronger. No problem.

Belgian defenders also rallied around Lammens, with Brandon Mechele stating, "That wasn't the easiest ball. It bounced right in front of him. As defenders, we could perhaps have helped him more there. He has to learn from it, and we as a group have to be there for each other and help each other."

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That wasn't the easiest ball. It bounced right in front of him. As defenders, we could perhaps have helped him more there. He has to learn from it, and we as a group have to be there for each other and help each other.

Courtois, who has played 21 World Cup games for Belgium, remained uncertain about his future with the national team, indicating he would discuss it with the coach and sporting director. He expressed a desire to sit out the upcoming Nations League matches.

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I felt strong pain in my quadriceps.