Thibaut Courtois suffers injury as Spain knock Belgium out of World Cup

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with a muscle injury during his side's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Spain, in a major blow for the Red Devils.

According to ESPN, the Real Madrid goalkeeper was substituted in the 71st minute after appearing to injure his thigh.

Although Courtois initially looked ready to continue following a drinks break, he was replaced by Senne Lammens.

With the match level at 1-1, Spain scored the winner 17 minutes later after Lammens spilled a shot from Pau Cubarsí, allowing Mikel Merino to convert and send Belgium out of the tournament.

Speaking after the match, Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said Courtois wanted to stay on but was unable to continue.

"It's part and parcel of high-level sport," Garcia said, according to ESPN.

"You need to be concentrated and able to perform for these types of games. From the beginning of World Cup I didn't want players on the pitch who were not 100 percent and that was Courtois today."

"He was excellent throughout the World Cup, but we didn't want his injury to get worse and that is why we took him off."

Belgium were also without midfielder Youri Tielemans, who suffered an undisclosed injury during the warm-up and was replaced in the starting line-up.

Spain will now face France in the World Cup semi-finals after ending Belgium's campaign.