Belgium’s World Cup Hopes End as Courtois Exits With Injury Against Spain
Belgium’s World Cup Hopes End as Courtois Exits With Injury Against Spain
Belgium’s journey in the 2026 World Cup concluded in dramatic fashion on Thursday, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois forced to leave the match due to an injury during the quarterfinal against Spain. The incident occurred in the 71st minute at SoFi Stadium, where Courtois sustained an apparent hip injury while making a save on forward Mikel Oyarzabal. The 34-year-old, who has earned 115 caps for his national team, was visibly emotional as he was replaced by backup Senne Lammens.
Courtois had performed strongly up to that point, recording four saves on five shots on target and keeping Belgium competitive after Charles De Ketelaere equalized to make it 1-1. However, the dynamics of the match shifted immediately following the substitution. Lammens, making just his third international appearance, was unable to stop a sequence involving Pau Cubarsí, allowing Mikel Merino to score the decisive go-ahead goal on the rebound 15 minutes after Courtois’s exit. Spain held on to win 2-1, securing a spot in the semifinals for the first time since their 2010 victory.
The high-stakes match was broadcast as part of the extensive World Cup coverage, a significant driver of engagement for media rights holders. Fox Corporation, listed under the ticker FOXA, is a key player in the sports broadcasting landscape, operating within the Communication Services sector. The company’s stock was up 2.51% in recent trading, reflecting a market capitalization of approximately $23.46 billion. Fox generates significant viewership through its licensing of news and sports content, with tournaments of this magnitude serving as major events for its Cable Network Programming segment.
What to watch
- Updates on the severity of Thibaut Courtois’s hip injury and its impact on his club career.
- Viewership ratings for the Spain vs. Belgium quarterfinal and Fox Corporation’s overall World Cup audience metrics.
- Spain’s semifinal matchup against France scheduled for Tuesday at AT&T Stadium.
Source: original release