STORY-TRÅD·sport

Rudi Garcia faces Belgian backlash for taking Courtois off in World Cup loss to Spain

Replacement keeper Lammens made crucial errorGarcia: ‘Only players who are 100% fit can play’Rudi Garcia came under a barrage of fire for replacing his injured first-choice goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, in Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final defeat by Spain on Friday, adding to questions about the coach’s ⁠future.Courtois felt he could continue ⁠despite a twinge in ​his leg, but Garcia insisted that he came off as he was not 100% fit. Senne Lammens went on as his replacement after 71 minutes but spilt a low strike by Pau ⁠Cubarsí, allowing the Spain substitute Mikel Merino to pounce in the 86th minute and secure a 2-1 victory. Continue reading...