Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens was at fault as Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup by Spain in the quarter-finals on Monday. The European champions lost 2-1 in Los Angeles after Lammens, who replaced an injured Thibaut Courtois in the 71st minute, spilled a shot from Pau Cubarsi, allowing Mikel Merino to score the winner in the 88th minute.
The defeat was a bitter blow for Belgium, who had taken the lead through Fabian Ruiz before Charles De Ketelaere equalised before half-time. But Lammens's error proved decisive, and media in Belgium have reacted with a mixture of anger and sympathy.
Belgian daily Le Soir was scathing, with an expert saying: 'I'm disgusted that we went home with such a goal. Senne Lammens simply cannot make a mistake like that. He has to hold onto that ball every time. It is a massive blunder. I'm gutted to go home because of a goal like that. I would have preferred a 3-0 thrashing.'
Online publication Sporza took a more forgiving tone, writing: 'The dream is over. In the shadow of Hollywood, the Red Devils' World Cup movie ended in tears. Painful for that boy. He will have a long and beautiful career, but I fear that Lammens will carry this with him for a while.'
Lammens, who joined Manchester United from Royal Antwerp, has faced criticism for previous lapses. The defeat means Spain will now face France in the semi-finals.
