Only minutes after playing a crucial role in Belgium's 2-1 defeat of Brazil in this evening's second World Cup quarter-final, Thibaut Courtois was keen to rectify a popular misunderstanding.
In the wake of Belgium's group-stage defeat of England, the Chelsea 'keeper was reported to have criticised England's #1, Jordan Pickford. Highlighting that he would have simply caught Adnan Januzaj's match-winning strike, the comments were met with mild bemusement.
Speaking to the BBC after Belgium's memorable win this evening, Courtois took a moment to clarify what he intended to say when talking about Pickford's attempted save:
I want to clarify something about Jordan. I would never mock the height of a goalkeeper, he had a great year, I said because he got a touch I maybe would have saved it because I'm a little bit taller.
Perhaps not quite what you would call an apology, it is nevertheless refreshing that Courtois took the time to clarify his remarks after such a momentous victory.
Leading Brazil for most of this evening's quarter-final clash, with the score set at 2-1 in Belgium's favour, Courtois was required to make a stunning save late on to deny Neymar a certain equaliser.
Brazil 1-2 Belgium - Courtois keeps his side in front with a brilliant save deep in injury time #rtesoccer #worldcup #BRA #BEL pic.twitter.com/uzB36jGLox
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 6, 2018
Belgium will now go on to play France in the World Cup semi-final.
