Tearful Thibaut Courtois forced off before Senne Lammens error costs Belgium in World Cup quarter-final

Thibaut Courtois was left in tears after he was forced off with a leg injury in Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final with a Spain.Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois went down hurt in the 70th minute feeling his leg and it soon became apparent that he would not be able to continue, in a huge blow for the Red Devils.Follow live updates from Spain vs Belgium!

Courtois left the pitch visibly emotional as his number went up, replaced by Manchester United’s Senne Lammens for his World Cup debut.At 34, it may prove to be Courtois’ final act at a World Cup having played at the previous four editions.“Courtois is obviously devastated,” Danny Murphy said on BBC’s commentary.

“Something has happened where he is unable to continue. He's in tears which might also suggest it is something worse.“Lammens has had a brilliant season at Manchester United but he is arguably replacing the best goalkeeper in the world.

Huge boots to fill.”Courtois’ setback comes after Belgium were forced into a last-minute team change due to injury, with captain Youri Tielemans picking up a suspected hamstring injury in the warm-up.Tielemans was set to start alongside Nicolas Raskin in the middle of the park but was replaced by Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken just 12 minutes before kick-off.

Then with five minutes to play, it appeared Rudi Garcia was forced into another change when Kevin De Bruyne was replaced by Alexis Saelemaekers, having gone down with cramp moments earlier.Despite these injury blows, Belgium impressed against Spain and were deserving of their equaliser when Charles De Ketelaere headed home 11 minutes after Fabian Ruiz’s opener in the first half.The match is currently on course for extra time with the winner facing France in the semi-finals after Didier Deschamps’ side beat Morocco on Thursday.

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