# Rudi Garcia faces Belgian backlash for taking Courtois off in World Cup loss to Spain

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/rudi-garcia-faces-belgian-backlash-for-taking-courtois-off-in-world-cup-loss-to-spain/
- Published: 2026-07-11T19:03:34+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-11T20:13:57+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/11/rudi-garcia-belgium-world-cup-thibaut-courtois-spain
- Topics: Art, Culture, Europe, Football, Sport, World

## Key points

- Garcia criticised for substituting fit-to-continue Courtois in World Cup quarter-final.
- Replacement Lammens's error let Spain win 2-1.
- Garcia's contract review, due this month, now under scrutiny.

## Summary

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia has come under heavy criticism after substituting his injured first-choice goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, during the team's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat by Spain on Friday. Although Courtois felt able to continue despite a leg twinge, Garcia withdrew him on the grounds that he was not fully fit, and the replacement keeper's error proved decisive. The decision has intensified questions about Garcia's future, with his contract due to be reviewed before it expires at the end of the month.

Senne Lammens came on after 71 minutes but spilt a low strike from Pau Cubarsí, allowing substitute Mikel Merino to score the winner in the 86th minute. Garcia defended his call, saying only players who are 100% physically fit are permitted to play and that he had no regrets, while Belgian commentator Peter Vandenbempt branded the move "astonishing". The 62-year-old Frenchman, appointed at the start of 2025, has a record of 12 wins, six draws and two defeats in 20 internationals, having met his targets of Nations League survival, World Cup qualification and reaching the last eight. Federation officials must now decide whether he is the right man to lead the side towards the 2028 Euros.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.