World Cup 2026: Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois forced off due to injury during quarterfinal loss to Spain

Thibaut Courtois was subbed off in the 71st minute of Belgium's World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Spain due to injury. The 34-year-old goalkeeper left the SoFi Stadium field in tears after appearing to injure his hip. Courtois went down to make a save on Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal. He sat down as the teams took the second-half hydration break and was replaced by Senne Lammens minutes later after play resumed. The moment Thibaut Courtois appeared to suffer an injury, resulting in him being subbed off in the second half pic.twitter.com/K140jXaIFS — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 10, 2026 Courtois, in what potentially was his final game representing his country, was visibly upset as he walked to the Belgium bench. Thibaut Courtois was visibly emotional after having to sub off for Belgium 🇧🇪 Senne Lammens comes on to replace him pic.twitter.com/SAf0VxNdaZ — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 10, 2026 Courtois, who has made 115 appearances for Belgium, had played well in the match, having made four saves on five shots on goal. Charles De Ketelaere answered Fabián Ruiz's opening goal to level the score at 1-1, with the Belgium goalkeeper a big reason why the Red Devils were in the match. It would get worse for Belgium 15 minutes after Courtois' exit as Lammens, who was making his third international appearance, failed to contain a Pau Cubarsí shot Spain’s Mikel Merino quickly rushed in to put home the rebound. SPAIN TAKES THE LATE LEAD IN CHAOTIC FASHION 🤯 Mikel Merino is the super sub once again for La Roja! pic.twitter.com/oXE2gDVa14 — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 10, 2026 Spain would hold on for the final few minutes to win 2-1 and advance to the semifinals for the first time since they won the World Cup in 2010. They will next face France on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas .