Courtois Backs Lammens to Bounce Back After Spain Howler

Thibaut Courtois stepped forward Saturday to defend Senne Lammens after the Manchester United goalkeeper's costly mistake handed Spain a 2-1 World Cup quarterfinal victory over Belgium in the round of eight, ending the Red Devils' run at the 2026 tournament. Lammens fumbled a routine cross in the 78th minute, allowing Mikel Merino to tap in what proved to be the decisive goal. Courtois, Belgium's first-choice keeper who has been managing a knee injury throughout the competition, told reporters after the match that Lammens will "get stronger from this."

The Error That Ended Belgium's Run

Belgium entered the quarterfinal having conceded just three goals across four matches, and Lammens had been largely dependable in Courtois's absence during the group stage. The 24-year-old had kept a clean sheet against Canada and held firm in a narrow 1-0 win over Morocco. The error against Spain was his first significant individual mistake of the tournament, arriving at the worst possible moment. According to FIFA match data, Merino's tap-in came from less than two yards out after Lammens misjudged a looping cross from Alejandro Grimaldo, leaving the net entirely exposed.

Courtois Urges Perspective on Young Keeper

Courtois, 34, drew on his own experience in making the case for Lammens. Speaking in the mixed zone at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Courtois said the young keeper had earned his place in the squad and that one mistake does not define a career. "Every goalkeeper makes errors. The ones who last are the ones who respond," Courtois said, according to Belgian broadcaster RTBF. He added that Lammens had performed at a level that justified the coaching staff's trust throughout the tournament. Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco echoed that assessment, telling reporters the team did not blame Lammens for the result and pointed to defensive lapses earlier in the match as equally significant factors. You can track all remaining World Cup results on our live scores page.

What This Means for Lammens at Club and Country

The stakes extend well beyond this tournament. Lammens, who joined Manchester United from Antwerp in January 2026, is competing for the starting role at Old Trafford with Andre Onana likely to depart at the end of his contract. ESPN Soccer reported last month that United's recruitment team has been evaluating Lammens as a long-term successor, making his World Cup performances central to that internal debate. A high-profile error at this stage adds unwanted noise to that evaluation, but Courtois's public support carries weight given his standing as one of the two or three best goalkeepers in the world over the past decade.

What Comes Next

Spain advances to face the winner of the France-Portugal quarterfinal in the semifinal round, scheduled for July 14. For Lammens, the work begins now. Belgium do not play again until the UEFA Nations League in September, giving him roughly two months before his next competitive appearance, likely with Manchester United in the Premier League. How he responds in that window, both mentally and technically, will tell observers far more than the error itself. Courtois clearly believes the answer will be positive. Check our streaming guide for full coverage of the remaining World Cup semifinal fixtures.