Belgium were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals, with a Manchester United player heavily criticised for his role in the decisive goal

Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens was culpable as Belgium suffered a 2-1 defeat to Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals. And certain Belgian media organisations have proved more lenient than others, with one warning Michael Carrick's side that the shot-stopper is unreliable.

The reigning European champions met Rudi Garcia's team in Los Angeles and struck first through Fabian Ruiz, who tapped home a rebound on the half-hour mark. But before the interval, Belgium were back on level terms as Charles De Ketelaere nodded in the first goal the Spanish had shipped in the tournament.

In the 71st minute, calamity struck as first-choice Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had to be substituted through injury and was visibly emotional. United's Lammens came on for the Real Madrid star. The match appeared headed for extra-time, but a late effort from Spain defender Pau Cubarsi was fumbled by Lammens, and Arsenal's Mikel Merino capitalised.

Belgium departed the tournament in the most agonising fashion thanks to the mistake and Spain will now face France in a World Cup semi-final. Media in Belgium have not responded well to the error, with one publication in particular delivering harsh criticism of Lammens.

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Le Soir

Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir was exceptionally critical of Lammens, with their expert headlining a report: "I'm disgusted that we went home with such a goal."

The full story reads: "Senne Lammens simply cannot make a mistake like that on the second goal. He has to hold onto that ball every time. It is a massive blunder by the Manchester United goalkeeper, one that sends us packing. I'm gutted to go home because of a goal like that. I would have preferred a 3–0 thrashing. Lammens cost us the match.

"Without his error, we'd still be in the game, and who knows what might have happened in extra time? At this level, in a World Cup quarter-final, you cannot make a mistake like that. The squad will rally around him, saying, 'We win together, we lose together.' But there is no excuse for what happened.

"Even back at Royal Antwerp, I didn't always find him reliable. He was prone to the occasional lapse in concentration. Since moving to Manchester, he's been conceding an average of 1.5 goals per game. If Courtois decides to retire from international football, Lammens is the number one candidate to take over. He's going to have to cut out these kinds of errors."

Sporza

Whilst rivals queued up to lay into Lammens, online outlet Sporza acknowledged the 88th-minute howler but offered some comfort to the United stopper, stating: "The dream is over. In the shadow of Hollywood, the Red Devils' World Cup movie ended in tears.

"Players, family members and fans in LA were inconsolable after that painful 2-1 defeat to Spain, following a blunder by Senne Lammens. Painful for that boy. He will have a long and beautiful career, but I fear that Lammens will carry this with him for a while."

A second Sporza report stated: "[It was] a moment that would completely tear the Belgian fighting heart apart. A 'cold' Lammens completely misjudged a long-range shot from Pau Cubarsi.

"Mikel Merino pushed the rebound in. Poor, poor, poor Lammens, you truly wouldn't wish this on anyone with the eyes of the world fixed on you."