Courtois says he wanted to play on against Spain

Thibaut Courtois said he wanted to stay on during Belgium’s 2-1 defeat to Spain, but the coaching staff opted to replace him after he picked up an injury in the quarter-final.

The 34-year-old sat down in visible discomfort before the second drinks break and held his quadriceps, before briefly continuing. He later had to come off, tearful, with Sene Lammens coming on in his place.

Courtois said after the match that he had felt able to carry on, but had told the bench he could not take long balls and was not at 100%. “It was really upsetting to come off in such a special game,” he said. “I felt good and wanted to stay on. I could have kept playing, but the coach decided to change me because I wasn’t fully ready. The team always comes first.”

He also backed Lammens after the mistake that led to Spain’s winner, saying the squad had gone to comfort him straight after the final whistle. Courtois added that Belgium should be proud of their effort, pointing out that they were the only team to score against Spain, whom he described as one of the main contenders for the title.