Belgium's Goalkeeper Sene Lammens Blamed for Costly Error Against Spain at World Cup 2026

Belgium suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup after a late goal by Mikel Merino in the 88th minute. The decisive moment came from a costly mistake by Belgium's 24-year-old goalkeeper Sene Lammens, who had come on as a substitute for the injured Thibaut Courtois in the second half. Lammens mishandled a shot from Pau Cubarsi, allowing the ball to rebound directly to Merino, who scored the winning goal.

Lammens, who recently transferred to Manchester United and had been one of their standout players this season, faced intense criticism and sympathy following the error. Belgian media described the moment as a nightmare for Lammens, emphasizing the difficulty of stepping in unexpectedly as goalkeeper. "It's the nightmare of Sene Lammens," wrote Nieuwsblad, while Sporza highlighted how the Belgian team had been pushing for extra time despite fatigue, only to have their hopes shattered by the goalkeeper's misjudgment.

Former Norwegian player Lars Tjærnås commented on the incident, acknowledging Lammens' strong performances for Manchester United but lamenting that this mistake would be remembered in Belgium for 30 years. The incident underscores the harsh realities of sports, especially on the world stage where millions watch.

Belgium's exit from the tournament leaves a bitter memory for the young goalkeeper and the team, who came close to extending the match but ultimately fell short due to the late error.