Courtois reveals lingering pain after Belgium’s World Cup exit

Spain knocked Belgium out of the FIFA World Cup with a narrow 2-1 win last night, echoing the pattern of their earlier victory over Portugal. Thibaut Courtois, Belgium’s starting goalkeeper, endured visible pain for 71 minutes before being substituted, while Mikel Merino, off the bench against Cristiano Ronaldo’s side, scored moments later to seal the result. Belgium warriored defensively in the first half, striving to keep the score level despite Spain’s pressure. The match’s tempo mirrored the earlier Portugal encounter, with both teams testing each other’s resolve. In the second half, Mikel Merino entered as a substitute and, moments later, found the net at the absolute death of the game, delivering the decisive blow for Spain. Courtois’ post‑match interview with revealed he felt a lot of pain in his quadriceps, limiting his ability to handle long kicks. The final whistle confirmed Belgium’s heartbreak as they fell just short, ending their World Cup campaign. Courtois, forced off in the second half, expressed that the manager’s decision to replace him was accepted without complaint.

Tears on the pitch: Courtois forced off as Spain clash turns painful

In a post‑match interview, Courtois told , “I felt a lot of pain in my quadriceps, but I had no problem staying on track; the pain was only for long kicks.” He added that he wishes to rest for a year without any Belgium matches before returning for the EURO qualifiers and the 2028 EURO.” Courtois highlighted a “much‑needed” rest for the “Belgiun” side, noting the demanding schedule has taken its toll. The 34‑year‑old also expressed excitement about rejoining Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, stating that the club has signed good players and a top manager, and now it is up to the squad to respond. A photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images captured Courtois’ substitution, while another by David Ramos/Getty showed the Belgian goalkeeper’s grimace after the final whistle. With Belgium eliminated, Courtois can look forward to at least three weeks of complete rest before linking up with Mourinho for the new season, a period the goalkeeper hopes will see him fully recovered.