#广场预测世界杯赢40000U Early News from the Little God of Fortune World Cup—Belgium’s “Golden Generation” bids farewell; Courtois injured and replaced; Lukaku unable to find the net again
On the morning of July 11, in the second quarterfinal (1/4) match of the World Cup final tournament among the USA, Canada, and Mexico, Belgium lost 1-2 to Spain and were eliminated in the Round of 8. The team’s “Golden Generation” also said goodbye to this World Cup.
Among them, the 34-year-old goalkeeper Courtois was substituted off in the 71st minute due to an adductor muscle injury. On the touchline, he covered his face and cried, wiping away tears with his gloved hand. This was Courtois’s 21st World Cup match, a figure that surpassed Lloris’s 20 matches; in the goalkeeper position, it ranks only behind Neuer.
In this match, the veteran goalkeeper still produced multiple brilliant saves, but his injury exit became the turning point. In the 88th minute, Belgium’s setback occurred because substitute goalkeeper Mignolet spilled a save, giving the opponent the chance. They scored with a follow-up to seal the game. After Spain scored, the live broadcast camera panned to Courtois on the sidelines, who also looked helpless.
Helplessness was shared by the 33-year-old striker Lukaku. In the past 3 matches, he had all come off the bench to make contributions—truly “bright when he steps on the pitch.” In this match, in the 60th minute, Lukaku again came off the bench, but he failed to break the opponent’s goal again. As of now, Lukaku has made 131 appearances for Belgium across all competitions and scored 93 goals.
In addition, 35-year-old De Bruyne started. Even when he cramped in the second half, he still kept playing until the 85th minute, when he could no longer continue and was substituted off. The 37-year-old Witsel was brought on in the 60th minute instead. With the team trailing 1-2 in stoppage time, he also got a yellow card for going all out in a desperate challenge. Unfortunately, the veterans’ fighting spirit couldn’t deliver a win. The “Golden Generation,” which had long helped Belgium occupy the FIFA world No. 1 ranking, ended yet another World Cup journey, continuing the long-standing regret of going without a title at major tournaments.
