Eden Hazard Defends Senne Lammens after the goalkeeper’s costly error in Belgium’s World Cup defeat to Spain, urging fans to support the youngster

Former Belgium captain Eden Hazard has defended goalkeeper Senne Lammens following the youngster’s costly mistake in Belgium’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging supporters not to judge the goalkeeper too harshly.

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Lammens was thrust into the spotlight after replacing injured first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during the match. The 24-year-old failed to hold Pau Cubarsí’s long-range effort late in the game, allowing Mikel Merino to convert the rebound and score the decisive goal that sent Spain into the semi-finals.

Speaking after the match, Hazard expressed confidence that the error would not define Lammens’ international career, insisting the goalkeeper had already demonstrated his quality at club level.

“Senne is a great goalkeeper,” Hazard said.

“He’s already proved that at club level, and I am sure he will prove it with the Red Devils soon enough.”

Hazard also urged fans and pundits to consider the difficult circumstances surrounding the goalkeeper’s introduction into one of Belgium’s biggest matches.

“People should not be too hard on him. He had to come on in a quarter-final and replace Thibaut Courtois, the best goalkeeper in the world,” the former Chelsea and Real Madrid forward added.

Lammens was called upon after Courtois was forced off through injury during the quarter-final, leaving the young goalkeeper to face intense pressure against one of the tournament favourites.

Although the decisive error proved costly, Belgium had battled back into the contest before Merino’s late strike sealed Spain’s victory.

The defeat ended Belgium’s World Cup campaign and extended the wait for the country’s so-called golden generation to win a major international trophy.

In recent years, Belgium have reached the latter stages of several major tournaments but have fallen short against Europe’s elite sides.

For Lammens, the quarter-final disappointment is likely to serve as a significant learning experience.

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Goalkeepers often face intense scrutiny after high-profile mistakes, but Hazard’s public support reflects the belief within Belgian football that the young shot-stopper has the ability to become a key figure for the national team in the years ahead.