In Brussels, the decisive moment arrived late and cruelly, but Senne Lammens had already made his point. Belgium’s Manchester United goalkeeper could not keep out Michael Olise’s 88th-minute winner for France, yet his response to a World Cup nightmare has been emphatic over four demanding days.
Lammens answers after World Cup error
The 24-year-old had endured the hardest evening of his career in Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Spain on 10 July. Introduced in the 71st minute after Thibaut Courtois was forced off with adductor discomfort that prevented him from taking goal-kicks, Lammens made a costly mistake near the end.
- With Belgium trailing Spain in the closing stages, Lammens failed to secure a ball in the 88th minute.
- Mikel Merino capitalised, scoring the goal that sent Spain through to the semi-finals with a 2-1 victory.
- Courtois then took a one-year break from international football, placing Lammens back at the centre of Belgium’s plans during a period of generational change.
- Lammens returned in the Nations League opener in Rome, helping Belgium beat Italy 2-0 on Friday.
- He kept his place against France in Brussels on Monday, producing five saves despite Belgium’s 1-0 defeat.
Against Italy, Lammens made a series of sharp second-half reaction stops as Belgium protected their lead. The performance gave him the answer he had sought after the Spain setback.
“It was a special match,” Lammens said after the game in Rome. “I wanted to show that I have qualities, and I managed to do that. After the World Cup, it was not easy. I went through a lot of emotions.”
He explained that he used the summer break to try to move on, while preparing mentally for both the new English season and the trip to Italy. “A goalkeeper’s life can be complicated,” he added. “I was unhappy after Spain; I did not do it on purpose.”
Five saves, but France find a late winner
Belgium’s goalkeeper was again heavily involved against France. He was aided by the crossbar in the 12th minute and by his left-hand post in the 53rd, but also dealt confidently with aerial balls and remained secure on his line.
Lammens made five saves and delayed France for much of the contest. His resistance finally ended in the 88th minute, when Olise completed a fine run with a curling finish to secure a 1-0 French victory in the Nations League.
Even in defeat, the match reinforced the impression that Lammens has steadied himself after Spain. He said he had shielded himself from outside noise, while recognising the importance of the backing he received.
“I protect myself from the outside world, but I received a lot of support,” he said. “It showed me who can help me in that kind of situation. That will also help me later in my career.”
Courtois remains the reference point
Lammens has begun the season strongly with Manchester United, but he remains cautious over his standing with Belgium. He acknowledged the competition around him, including Maarten Vandevoordt, who has been performing well at Leipzig, while noting that Mike Penders has not been playing at Chelsea.
“I do not really know whether I am the first choice,” Lammens said. “There are a lot of good goalkeepers.”
Mark Van Bommel, who coached Lammens at Antwerp, praised the goalkeeper after the Italy victory and retained him as starter against France. He described Lammens as a composed character, unaffected by either praise or criticism.
Van Bommel also stressed that Belgium possess depth in the position. Courtois was excused from the Nations League after accumulating minor physical problems and injuries in recent months, following discussions between the coach and the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
There is no certainty that Belgium’s hierarchy will remain unchanged when Courtois returns for the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign. But Lammens has used his two Nations League appearances to underline a simple message: Belgium have another goalkeeper capable of carrying responsibility when the spotlight turns harsh.
