Thibaut Courtois has emerged from Belgium’s quarter-final exit with sympathy for Senne Lammens, but the bigger story is that Real Madrid players at the heart of Belgium’s former golden generation now face a rebuilding phase after Spain ended their World Cup run in Los Angeles.
Belgium were already carrying extra pressure because of the loss of their captain, Youri Tielemans, in the warm-up. Then Courtois went off injured in the second half at SoFi Stadium, and replacement Lammens made the error that led to Mikel Merino’s winner. It was the decisive moment in a tie that Spain controlled just enough to reach the semi-finals, where France now wait.
Courtois stands up for Lammens
Courtois was careful not to turn the spotlight on the young goalkeeper after the match. “I gave him a big hug. He’s a great goalkeeper. You only get stronger from this,” he said.
He added: “Eventually you cannot say much more to him or give him much more advice.”
That is the tone of an experienced player who understands how quickly a tournament can turn. Courtois also described Lammens as “a strong guy, strong personality” and said: “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
For Belgium, though, the defeat is about more than one mistake. The quarter-final exit feels like the end of an era built around Courtois, Lukaku and De Bruyne, with 2018 still standing as the clearest reminder of what this team once was. That group, alongside players such as Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Kompany, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Hazard, Carrasco, Mertens and Dembélé, set the standard Belgium have been chasing ever since.
The rebuilding job begins now
Courtois said Lammens would be able to reset after the tournament, adding: “You know, he will have some holidays and then regroup in Manchester and have a great season.”
There is also uncertainty around Courtois himself. Reports suggested he wanted a year off from the international game before returning for the Euro 2028 qualifiers, which would only deepen the feeling that Belgium are moving into a new phase.
That is the harsh reality after a defeat like this. The performance was not simply undone by one bad moment, but that moment became the one everyone will remember. Spain move on, and Luis de la Fuente’s side can now prepare for France. Belgium, meanwhile, must accept that their golden generation is gone and the rebuild has already started.
