Belgium national team physiotherapist Van Himbeeck revealed in an interview with the Belgian newspaper "Het Nieuwsblad" that Courtois's substitution in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final match against Spain was not based on the advice of the medical department.
The physiotherapist stated that national team coach Rudi Garcia himself decided to substitute the 34-year-old veteran. Courtois's replacement, Lamens, had an extremely poor substitute appearance.
Lamens came on as a substitute in the 71st minute of the match but made a fatal error towards the end of the game. Merino seized the opportunity to score, helping Spain ultimately defeat Belgium 2-1. Van Himbeeck admitted that he did not know if Belgium would have advanced to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals if Courtois had not been substituted at that time.
Courtois recently stated in an interview with "Het Laatste Nieuws" that he did not actively request a substitution after receiving treatment for his injury. However, coach Garcia still decided to substitute him, and this decision did not stem from the advice of the physiotherapist and team doctor Hassen.
Physiotherapist Van Himbeeck explained: "When he sat down on the grass, the team doctor and I ran onto the field. Immediately after that was the second hydration break. At that moment, coach Garcia, who had already sent Lamens to warm up, made the decision to substitute. Courtois himself did not ask to come off, and neither the doctor nor I gave any advice to substitute him."
"Our national team coach prefers to only field players who are 100% healthy. Kevin De Bruyne also failed to start for this reason before."
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Casidi
0
why is everyone throwing him under the bus? if the substitution had been successful they would have taken credit for making good recommendations
zisadiklu
1
That was the most blatant proof of match fixing at the world cup! It was an extraordinary sequence of events, that led to their fall. They have to launch an enquiry- heads will roll
Teaeiklmt
1
Yetbeimpsy
2
it is football through the coach and he became the scape goat foot is no more physical
Davichi
6
It's of no use to look for someone to blame. The team failed to advance so accept it and move on. Whatever mistake or error, technical or tactical that was made should be addressed internally. The team has to work harder and prepare for the next opportunity.