Former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger Eden Hazard has defended Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens following his error in Belgium’s 2–1 defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lammens came under criticism after he spilled Pau Cubarsí’s long-range effort into the path of Mikel Merino, who capitalised on the rebound to score Spain’s late winner.
The goalkeeper had been introduced during the match after first-choice shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois was forced off through injury.
Reacting to the incident, Hazard urged fans and critics not to judge the goalkeeper harshly, insisting that Lammens possesses the qualities needed to succeed at both club and international levels.
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“Senne is a great goalkeeper,” the former Belgium captain told Stake.
“He’s already proved that at club level, and I am sure he will prove it with the Red Devils soon enough.
“People should not be too hard on him. He had to come on in a quarter-final and replace Thibaut Courtois, the best goalkeeper in the world.”
Hazard’s comments come amid growing scrutiny of Belgium’s performance after their exit from the tournament, with the former winger expressing confidence that Lammens will recover from the setback and establish himself in the national team.
