Senne Lammens steadies Belgium after World Cup error with displays in Rome and against France

Manchester United’s Senne Lammens steadied the mood around Belgium despite a 1-0 Nations League defeat to France in Brussels, following an assured display in Rome on Friday that helped secure a 2-0 win after his World Cup error against Spain.

In the 10 July World Cup quarter-final, the 24-year-old replaced Thibaut Courtois on 71 minutes, then miscontrolled before Mikel Merino struck on 88, sending Spain through. “It was a special match... I wanted to show I have qualities... I was unhappy against Spain, I did not do it on purpose,” he told La Dernière Heure.

With Courtois taking an international sabbatical, Lammens returned to the spotlight in Rome, his second-half reflex saves underpinning Belgium’s 2-0 win over Italy on matchday one.

Against France in Brussels, he was strong in the air and on his line. France hit the bar on 12 minutes and the left post on 53, Lammens made five saves, then Michael Olise’s curling finish on 88 settled it 1-0.

Head coach Mark Van Bommel, who previously worked with Lammens at Antwerp, praised him in Rome and kept faith with him on Monday, describing him as stoic. He also highlighted Maarten Vandevoordt’s form at Leipzig and said Courtois was excused from the Nations League after talks in Madrid due to recent niggles and injuries.

“I do not really know if I am the starter. There are many good goalkeepers.” Whether the hierarchy changes when Courtois returns for Euro 2028 qualifying remains unclear.

Source: L'Équipe

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