Ibrahimovic slams Rudi Garcia after Belgium's cruel elimination by Spain

Belgium exited the 2026 World Cup on a goal by Mikel Merino in the final seconds of the quarter-finals, losing 2-1 to Spain. Shortly after, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a consultant for FOX Sports, targeted manager Rudi Garcia with rare severity.

“I hold the national team manager responsible for this defeat. It’s a decision that cost Belgium the match,” the Swede said in the heat of the moment. The crux of his criticism concerns the handling of the goalkeeper position after Thibaut Courtois was forced off with injury in the 71st minute. The Real Madrid goalkeeper, who had made four saves, was keeping the score level with Spain.

Garcia chose to bring on Senne Lammens from Manchester United rather than Mike Penders, who remained on the bench. A choice that Ibrahimovic strongly contested: “Why replace Courtois with Lammens when Penders is sitting on the bench? Is it because Lammens plays at Manchester United and Penders at Strasbourg? That’s not how you choose a goalkeeper for a national team.”

The decisive action, in his view, proved his point. Pau Cubarsí advanced toward the box and fired a shot that Lammels parried into the feet of Merino, who finished easily. It was the Spanish midfielder’s second goal in the tournament, following a decisive goal against Portugal.

“Lammens is not a good enough goalkeeper at this level. He’s overrated. Penders is much better, and everyone can see that,” Ibrahimovic continued, before concluding with a direct attack on the staff: “They managed this situation very poorly. It’s shameful. Shame on you, national team manager and goalkeeper coach.”

Belgium, which appeared to be heading to extra time, thus exits the tournament on a particularly bitter note, and Rudi Garcia will have to answer for his choices in the coming days.