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Thibaut Courtois has been a key player for Belgium over the years and was in action for them again against Spain at the World Cup on Friday

Thibaut Courtois was seen in tears after being forced off for Belgium during their World Cup quarter-final clash against Spain on Friday. The Real Madrid goalkeeper was replaced by Manchester United No.1 Senne Lammens in the 72nd minute.

Courtois went down in the searing Los Angeles heat and was seen clutching his left thigh in the 67th minute. The former Chelsea star then appeared fit enough to continue after a brief delay.

But the 34-year-old was ultimately unable to fight off his injury any longer before being substituted for Lammens a few minutes later. The shot-stopper had to be consoled by Belgium's coaching staff after being forced off on his 21st World Cup appearance.

Courtois' emotions were understandable as his age means it could have been his final appearance at a World Cup. And the veteran keeper's replacement, Lammens, had a World Cup debut to forget after spilling a shot which Mikel Merino pounced on to put Spain 2-1 up.

It came after Fabian Ruiz put La Roja ahead on the half-hour mark before Charles de Ketelaere equalised in the 41st minute. Merino's goal then followed, as Spain set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against France.

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But Belgium will be left wondering if they could have come out as winners over Luis de la Fuente's team if Courtois had not been injured. Former England midfielder Danny Murphy suggested on BBC commentary duty that Lammens had "big shoes to fill" before his mistake.

He said: "Courtois is obviously devastated. Something has happened where he is unable to continue. He's in tears which might also suggest it is something worse.

"Lammens has had a brilliant season at Manchester United, but he is arguably replacing the best goalkeeper in the world. Huge boots to fill."

Courtois' former Chelsea teammate and ex-Spain international Cesar Azpilicueta, though, felt that his country were always in control of their last eight fixture against Rudi Garcia's men.

The 36-year-old said: "Spain were in control and it looks like it was played back from the last game against Portugal - another last-minute winner.

"Spain looked in total confidence. Even when Belgium got the equaliser, they felt calm and they kept playing their game."

La Roja will now play France on Tuesday at 8pm BST in the first semi-final.

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