Lammens' rebound error hands Spain late winner to eliminate Belgium at World Cup

Senne Lammens’ failure to hold a long-range shot from Pau Cubarsí gifted Mikel Merino a tap-in in the 88th minute, sending Spain past Belgium 1-0 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday. The decisive error came barely 17 minutes after Lammens had been rushed on as a substitute for the injured Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois, Belgium’s all-time record holder for clean sheets, saves and appearances, had been commanding before limping off in the 71st minute with an apparent injury, having made four saves without conceding. His exit left the 24-year-old Lammens — who had never previously played at a World Cup — to protect a goalless draw against one of the tournament’s most relentless pressing sides.

Manchester United legend and analyst Peter Schmeichel was sympathetic but clear-eyed about the mistake. “He’s so unlucky today,” Schmeichel said after the final whistle. “I feel so sorry for him because, of course, that shot from Cubarsí, he has to hold on to. He must not give that to Mikel Merino, and had he done that, we probably would have waited for another 30 minutes of this game.”

Schmeichel was nonetheless quick to praise Lammens’ broader development, noting the goalkeeper had enjoyed a breakout season at Old Trafford. “He’s literally rocked our world,” Schmeichel said. “He’s done absolutely fantastic.” Lammens recorded eight clean sheets in 32 Premier League appearances this season.

Schmeichel also acknowledged Spain’s role in forcing the error, pointing to their relentless high press as a factor. “The way that they do the five seconds of fury, the way that they press,” he said, adding that the volume of goal kicks Courtois had been forced into may have contributed to the Belgian captain’s injury.

Spain’s victory sets up a semi-final against France at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, 14 July — a rematch of the Euro 2024 semi-final, which Spain won 2-1 before going on to claim the European Championship.