It wasn’t to be for Belgium as they crashed out of the World Cup, losing 2-1 in a tight game against Spain. The turning point proved to be an injury suffered by Thibaut Courtois, with his replacement, Senne Lammens, making a huge error for the winner.

The Spaniards were probably just about the better team across the 90 minutes, but Belgium made things complicated. This was highlighted by their response to Fabian Ruiz’s opener, with Charles De Ketelaere making it 1-1 just 11 minutes later.

With not much to seperate the teams, Belgium fans will now reflect mournfully on Courtois’ quad injury in the second half. He was forced off in the 71st minute, and his replacement, Lammens, made a major mistake. Indeed, the Manchester United goalkeeper could not keep hold of the ball when Pau Cubarsi took aim from distance, and Mikel Merino was on hand to poke home a winner from close range.

Courtois Claims He Could Have Stayed on Despite Injury

Jessie Alcheh via Reuters/ Imagin Images

Speaking after the game, Real Madrid star Courtois has made some rather interesting claims. He went down in the game and was then subbed off in tears, as an injury appeared to put an end to his World Cup dream. However, the 34-year-old made an eye-opening comment to the press, suggesting that he could have stayed on the pitch:

It seems somewhat strange that Courtois would say this, but he did jog off the pitch, which backs up his claim that he would cave stayed in goal if needed.

Courtois Defends Lammens and Reveals Plan For Future With Belgium

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Courtois left the pitch in tears, and his immediate reaction to Lammens’ error was one of little sympathy, but he has now spoken out on his Belgium teammate, insisting the Man Utd ace has a big future. He told the press:

That said, it doesn’t sound as though the Real Madrid ace is too keen to give up the number one jersey for Belgium just yet. He has now stated that he wants to take a year off from international football, but has every intention of fighting for his spot ahead of Euro 2028:

“I want to rest for a year without any Belgium matches,” he explained. “Then I want to play in the EURO qualifiers and the 2028 EURO. I don’t know if Belgium will agree to this.”

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.

Liverpool are reportedly on high alert as Real Madrid are ready to put Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior up for sale.

The Reds are searching for a replacement for Mohamed Salah following the Egyptian forward’s exit. They initially placed Yan Diomande at the top of their wishlist, but the RB Leipzig winger has made a move to Paris Saint-Germain his priority.

Given the likelihood of Diomande arriving at the Parc des Princes, there was belief it could trigger a domino effect that would see Bradley Barcola head for the exit. But PSG reportedly intend to keep Barcola despite interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.

Liverpool Monitoring Vinicius Situation

Liverpool’s search for a Salah heir continues, and now they might have the opportunity to sign Vinicius. A report from TEAMtalk claims that Madrid have handed their Brazilian an ultimatum as he enters the final year of his contract.

Either Vinicius signs their proposed new deal, which includes improved wages of £400,000 per week, or they will listen to offers for him. The 25-year-old has lit up the Estadio Bernabeu since joining Los Blancos in 2018 but endured a troublesome past season both on and off the pitch.

While Vinicius is a left-winger by trade, he can play on the right, and his versatility could be of huge use to Andoni Iraola. Losing Salah will have a massive impact, not least because of his aura and world-class ability.

Liverpool will have to deal with other contenders in the race for the Selecao star if Madrid entertain offers. A move to the Saudi Pro League remains a possibility and he could double his wages by heading to the Middle East.

Bayern Munich are admirers and are monitoring the situation, while Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are also keeping tabs. It will take a huge effort and a lot of money to secure his signature, with Carlo Ancelotti recently describing him as the ‘best player in the world.’

A Worthy Mo Salah Heir

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There aren’t many more talented footballers in world football than Vinicius, who has wowed fans throughout his time at Madrid. He fared well at the World Cup despite Brazil’s early exit, and he could thrive as the main man at Anfield.

Liverpool haven’t been afraid to spend big in the past two transfer windows, breaking the British transfer record twice. Signing Vinicius will cost over £100m and the Reds are one of a few clubs in Europe who can probably afford a deal.

With potential Salah replacements constantly being crossed off Iraola’s wishlist, Vinicius’ availability is worth keeping in mind. It does feel like the Brazilian will eventually put pen to paper on a new deal, but if he doesn’t, he might view playing in front of the Kop as the ideal next challenge in his career.