Belgium's quarter-final exit at the 2026 World Cup — a 2-1 defeat by Spain — almost certainly marks the international farewell of the country's celebrated golden generation.

Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin de Bruyne, and Axel Witsel have anchored the Red Devils since Brazil 2014, but their last realistic shot at lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy ended not through their own failings — it ended through a costly error by one of their heirs.

The moment that sealed Belgium's fate

Courtois had already been withdrawn through injury midway through the second half when, in the 88th minute, 24-year-old goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled a routine shot. Mikel Merino pounced on the rebound to send Spain through.