Belgium boss Rudi Garcia under fire after replacing Thibaut Courtois against Spain

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/courtois-thibaut/MVExOq3n/"]Courtois[/a] felt he could continue despite a twinge in his leg, but Garcia insisted he ‌come off as he was not 100% fit.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lammens-senne/UFssg7X4/"]Senne Lammens[/a] went on as his replacement after 71 minutes but spilt ‌a low strike by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/cubarsi-pau/UgTrNwCF/"]Pau Cubarsi[/a], allowing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a] substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/merino-mikel/QFt86bm1/"]Mikel Merino[/a] to pounce ‌in the 86th minute and secure [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/belgium-GbB957na/spain-bLyo6mco/?mid=MHGPEKi5"]a 2-1 victory[/a] on Friday.[/p][p]Garcia’s insistence on taking off Courtois ‌attracted the ire of Belgian analysts, like commentator Peter Vandenbempt.[/p][p]"[b]You substitute the best ‌goalkeeper in the world during a World Cup quarter-final because he can no longer kick long balls... astonishing! I simply cannot fathom it[/b]," he said on Belgian radio.[/p][p]“[b]The only explanation is that Garcia clings to ‌rigid principles. Not 100% fit? Then you're out. But ⁠surely someone like Courtois knows what he is ‌and isn't capable of?[/b]"[/p][image alt="Courtois after the defeat to Spain" id="00a65a17-450c-4192-8764-a54feb29ead9" credit-line="ČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Jan De Meuleneir" guid="08e1105f-7ac1-4a45-821d-18a76fdd5f1a" original-width="1400" original-height="933" /][p]Garcia, however, explained his philosophy clearly.[/p][p]“[b]Since the start of the World Cup, I’ve ​said that only players who are 100% physically fit are allowed to play. That applies to Thibaut as well. We needed his long balls — first to ​Charles ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/de-ketelaere-charles/2eOa3r1T/"]De Ketelaere[/a]), then to Romelu ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lukaku-romelu/dCkG0Iw0/"]Lukaku[/a]). We didn't want Thibaut’s injury to get worse. So, I have no regrets about the decision to substitute him[/b].”[/p][p]Garcia’s decision is sure to be ⁠among the issues discussed when ​his contract is reviewed before the end of the month, when his deal expires.[/p][p]The 62-year-old Frenchman, who won the Ligue 1 title with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/lille/pfDZL71o/"]Lille[/a] in 2011, was appointed at the start of 2025 and tasked with breathing new life into the team after the tenure of ‌Domenico Tedesco, which was described as toxic and soulless.[/p][h2]Garcia achieved his objectives[/h2][p]Staying in the top tier of the Nations League was Garcia’s first task, successfully achieved as was World Cup qualification. The target of reaching the last eight was also a tick behind the coach’s name.[/p][p]Garcia’s record in 20 internationals is 12 wins, six draws and two defeats.[/p][p]Belgian federation officials will have to decide, however, whether Garcia is the right man to continue as they look to create a side to contend for the 2028 European Championship.[/p][image alt="Match stats" id="13f2ccc6-9866-4f79-9ac3-f5b776b11dfd" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="66328be6-bcbe-4441-b0a5-e8004216c0d5" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]There have been many questions about his tactics, substitutions and management style and the disappointment of the ‌narrow loss to Spain did not help his cause.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belgium/GbB957na/"]Belgium[/a] had an inconsistent World Cup, ​scrambling more than once to advance to the last eight, drawing with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/egypt/bejDn7NN/"]Egypt[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iran/xrRx85iA/"]‌Iran[/a] before beating [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-zealand/rLctHkpU/"]New Zealand[/a] to top their group. They pulled off a narrow escape against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/senegal/hOIsJLJr/"]Senegal[/a] in the last 32 where Garcia had taken off his leading players with the team 2-0 down, but whether his substitutions, or Senegal’s defensive howlers, contributed to their comeback is debatable.[/p][p]He can also point to highlights, however, ⁠like their 4-1 demolition of co-hosts the ⁠US and the introduction of players ‌like [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ngoy-nathan/x6Zak7to/"]Nathan Ngoy[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/raskin-nicolas/xxLZVXdU/"]Nicolas Raskin[/a] who enjoyed impressive tournaments.[/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]