Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois has backed Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens to recover from his costly error in Belgium's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final loss to Spain on Friday night. Lammens, 24, replaced Courtois in the 71st minute after the Real Madrid goalkeeper suffered a muscular problem, but fumbled a long-range strike from Pau Cubarsi in the 88th minute, allowing Mikel Merino to score the winner.
Courtois offers support to Lammens
Courtois, who was forced off despite wanting to continue, consoled Lammens after the final whistle. 'I gave him a big hug. He's a great goalkeeper,' Courtois told reporters. 'You only get stronger from this. Eventually you cannot say much more to him or give him much more advice. He is a strong guy, strong personality. I'm sure he'll be fine. You know, he will have some holidays and then regroup in Manchester and have a great season.'
Courtois expressed frustration at being substituted but accepted the decision by Belgium manager Rudi Garcia. 'Obviously, I wanted to continue, but the coach wanted someone 100%. I wanted to try to play maybe five or 10 minutes because I was feeling good. I was making saves, and I was not disturbed to make those saves. So that's a decision of the coach, and that's not a problem. Obviously you're not happy when you have to leave a quarter-final of a World Cup. But yeah, sometimes it is what it is. You can't change it.'
Defender defends Lammens
Belgium defender Brandon Mechele also reacted to Lammens' mistake, saying: 'It's a learning moment for him. It was not the most easy ball. I think it bounces just in front of him. And we as defenders could have helped him by following up maybe more. So he needs to learn from this, and we as a group we have to be there for each other and help each other.'
Lammens' United journey
Lammens was excellent during his debut season at Manchester United after joining from Royal Antwerp for £18.2 million last summer. United had considered a move for Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez but were convinced Lammens was the right choice. He had to wait until October to make his debut but started every game thereafter. He will now take a post-World Cup break before reporting for pre-season at Carrington.
