A former England international has sparked huge backlash for his comments about Thibaut Courtois during Belgium’s 2-1 defeat to Spain on Friday night. The Red Devils battled hard to take the game deep into the second half in Los Angeles, but were ultimately eliminated from the World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Dani Olmo had opened the scoring in the first half and, although Belgium levelled through Charles De Ketelaere – who became the first player to score against the European champions at this tournament – Mikel Merino came off the bench to net the winner in the 88th minute and send Spain into the semi-finals.

It was a particularly difficult evening for Courtois who, in what may have been his 21st and final World Cup appearance, was forced off through injury in the 72nd minute. The Real Madrid goalkeeper could not contain his emotions as he was replaced by Manchester United shot-stopper Senne Lammens, whose late mistake ended Belgium’s hopes of extending their summer campaign.

Danny Murphy slammed Courtois, suggesting he was feigning his injury whilst on commentary duties for the BBC. He was amde to eat his words after the Real Madrid goalkeeper hobbled off, clearly emotional.

Fans rushed online to criticise Murphy’s comments. One wrote: “Epic fail from Danny Murphy, mocking Courtois for faking an injury moments before he has to leave the pitch distraught.” Elsewhere, a second added:

Elsewhere, another labelled him a “woeful co-commentator”, as a fourth comically wrote: “Danny Murphy disrespecting Courtois with the mistrust and distain one would show a feral cat.”

Backtracking on his comments, Murphy said: “Well I did him a disservice, it was a genuine injury. We thought it was one of the normal tactical breaks but he’s obviously devastated. Something’s happened where he is unable to carry on, and the tears suggest it might be a little but worse.”

Courtois Considering International Retirement

Despite still being among the best goalkeepers in the world, Belgium’s shot-stopper is considering retiring from the national team. Now 34, he will be 36 by the time the European Championship rolls around, and the Real Madrid legend has long spoken about his uncertainty around his international future.

He is one of the final players in his country’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’, and looks set to close the curtain without having won a major honour, despite so many great expectations. Even still, having earnt 109 international caps since his debut in 2011 is some achievement.

Meeting in the quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup, Spain took on Belgium and came away with a 2-1 win. Luis de la Fuente’s men will now face France in the semis.

The Spaniards took the lead in the first half when Fabian Ruiz finished from close range, but Charles De Ketelaere had things level before the break. The game then looked as though it was destined for extra time, but Senne Lammens – on for the injured Thibaut Courtois – spilt the ball right at Mikel Merino’s feet, and the Arsenal star could not miss.

English referee Michael Oliver was in charge of the game, but one moment has sparked a strong response online.

French Journalist Unhappy With Michael Oliver’s World Cup Incident

Michael Oliver via REUTERS/Valdrin Xhemaj

Oliver was overseeing his seventh World Cup game, the most of any English referee in history. At one point, Spain star talent Lamine Yamal was trying to win the ball back for his team but opted to instead cynically foul Jeremy Doku as the Belgium star looked to threaten on the break.

Oliver blew for the foul and looked as though he was going to hand out a yellow card to the Barcelona winger. However, he then opted against booking Yamal. French-based journalist Matt Spiro, who works for beIN Sports, was quick to call out the incident. Taking to social media, he wrote:

Journalist Spiro appeared to be referring to the idea that FIFA seem keen to protect some of the biggest names at the World Cup. This theory has been aided by Cristiano Ronaldo seeing his suspension for a red card against Ireland reduced from three games to just one, which meant he was available for Portugal’s first game this summer.

Adding to that, Folarin Balogun saw his one-game red card ban suspended for a year, allowing him to play for the United States against Belgium. Lionel Messi also controversially avoided a red card against Algeria for a similar foul to the one which earned Balogun a red card.

The issues have been so widely talked about that – after watching his side lose 3-2 with some key decisions going in favour of Lionel Scaloni’s team – Egypt manager Hossam Hassan even claimed that FIFA “want Argentina and Messi to stay in the World Cup for marketing.”

Fans Baffled by Michael Oliver’s Lamine Yamal Decision

Spiro wasn’t the only one to notice the incident, as fans online were also stunned by the lenient bit of refereeing from the English official. Criticising Oliver, one wrote:

One more wrote: “Michael Oliver about to produce a card for that tackle. Noticed it was Yamal and changed his mind.” Another baffled supporter asked: “Why didn’t he [Oliver] book Yamal for an obvious foul on Doku?”

A fourth said: “Oliver reached for the card for Yamal then changed his mind??” With someone else asking: “Why didn‘t Michael Oliver book Yamal for the foul on Doku he stopped a promising attack…”

One more summed up the mood, remarking: “I fail to understand why Michael Oliver hasn’t booked Yamal there.”

It’s already been an extremely busy summer for Tottenham Hotspur and it could get even more hectic should they step up their interest in Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

Spurs have already spent over £100 million, signing Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. After nearly suffering relegation last season, the club have made it their mission to back Roberto De Zerbi with a major squad overhaul.

A new forward is expected to arrive and the Lilywhites are interested in Bournemouth rising star Junior Kroupi. The French starlet has reportedly told the North Londoners that he’s open to joining.

Tottenham Make Concrete Move For Rashford

Kroupi isn’t the only attacker on Tottenham’s radar as they are also monitoring Rashford’s situation at United. The English forward spent last season on loan at Barcelona and impressed, scoring 14 goals and providing as many assists in 49 games.

Despite this, the Catalans have opted not to sign Rashford permanently, paving the way for the £325,000-a-week England international to move elsewhere. He has plenty of options and Spurs are reportedly pushing hardest for the 28-year-old.

According to Italian outlet Asromalive.it, the Lilywhites are the club that have made “the most concrete contact with the player.” The problem is that Rashford wants to play UEFA Champions League football next season, something De Zerbi’s side can’t offer.

Rashford has also been sounded out by Italian giants Roma and Napoli, but he isn’t giving priority to the Serie A clubs. A return to Aston Villa, where he spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan, is another option, while Newcastle United are keen.

Spurs could also face competition from Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, who are said to have “started real negotiations in recent days.” Barca could still come back in for the player, although they have signed Anthony Gordon and agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund for Karim Adeyemi.

Spurs Need to Prioritise Kroupi First

via Reuters

If De Zerbi believes Rashford, dubbed “world-class” can take his Tottenham team to another level, the club’s transfer chiefs need to do their best to secure his signature. He’s proven to be one of the most talented English forwards, and his drop in form at United came amid a lack of confidence with constant managerial changes.

Player’s preference aside, the main stumbling block for Spurs is his wages, as he currently sits on £300,000 per week (via Capology) at Old Trafford. That’s a ridiculously high salary, and it’s hard to imagine the club agreeing to pay him that amount.

A potential deal could cost a reported £34.5m, which is a reasonable price, but not if he remains on such a high salary. The best course of action is to focus on signing Kroupi, a generational talent who can lead the line for De Zerbi’s team for years to come.