Thibaut Courtois was overcome with emotion after he was forced off the pitch during Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final clash with Spain due to injury.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper had been a sturdy presence between the sticks for Belgium, keeping the score level at 1-1 despite a flurry of Spanish chances in the second-half.
But in the 67th minute, Courtois appeared to suffer an injury in his left thigh, going down to the turf and prompting referee Michael Oliver to bring up the second-half hydration break.
He later received treatment from his side’s physios during the stoppage on the pitch.
Courtois appeared to be fine to continue when play resumed, but just moments after the restart, the 34-year-old gestured to his bench that he needed to be swapped out.
The shot-stopper was quickly replaced by Manchester United star Senne Lammens, but as Courtois came off, the degree to which he was hurt became clear as he took his place on the bench in floods of tears.
More to follow.
