Courtois Belgium comeback ends in Ukraine loss
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tasted defeat on his Belgium return on Thursday as the Red Devils lost 3-1 to Ukraine in the first leg of the Nations League play-off.
Real Madrid's Courtois last played for his country in 2023 before a public falling out with then coach Domenico Tedesco and looked set to finish on 102 caps.
Courtois, 32, has come back into the fold under new boss in Frenchman Rudi Garcia, but was unable to stop Ukraine claiming the upper hand before next Sunday's second leg in Genk.
Romelu Lukaku scored for Belgium before efforts from Oleksiy Gutsulyak, Vladyslav Vanat and Ilya Zabarnyi in a 12-minute spell after the break secured the win for Sergiy Rebrov's side.
"The second half they took control," Lukaku told Belgian broadcaster RTBF.
"We had more desire but we were too wasteful for the third goal, our confidence dropped.
He added: "We can change the situation next week. I think you can see the team hasn't recovered (from Tedesco’s tenure). The team have to be tough mentally."
The opening game of the tie was played in the Spanish city of Murcia, due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Many of the Belgium side which topped the world rankings from 2018 until 2021 have retired, including former skipper Eden Hazard.
Another member of that golden generation in striker Lukaku opened the scoring in south-eastern Spain after 40 minutes.
Courtois then conceded three goals by the 78th-minute leaving Belgium on the edge of relegation to the second-tier League B of the Nations League.
bur-iwd/dj
-
Courtois returns from Belgium exile for Nations League duty
Rudi Garcia announced Friday his 26-man squad for Belgium's Nations League play-off tie against Ukraine, which included Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for the first time since June ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Thibaut Courtois returns from Belgium exile and clears air with teammates
Goalkeeper back with national side after change of coach Courtois says squad ‘were able to talk everything out’ The Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said he had thrashed out the circumstances ...The Guardian - 3d -
Courtois hopes Belgium exile drama now over
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said he has poken to teammates about his lengthy exile from the national side.ESPN - 2d -
Courtois back in Belgium squad after missing Euro 2024 because of fall-out with coach
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois returned to Belgium's squad on Friday as part of the first selection by recently hired coach Rudi Garcia. In August, Courtois said he wouldn't be available ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Courtois, Garcia react after Villarreal 1-2 Real Madrid – ‘This was disrespectful’
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois shared his thoughts on the recent match against Villarreal, with a particular focus on the demanding schedule that his team has had to endure. The Belgian ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Thibaut Courtois still unable to keep a clean sheet despite another heroic performance for Real Madrid
The Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has proven his credentials as one of the best goalies in the world beyond any doubt in the last few years.After having missed almost the whole of the ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Croatia upset France in Nations League first leg
Goals from Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic steered Croatia to a deserved 2-0 win over France in their Nations League quarterfinal first leg in Split on Thursday, as the return of Kylian Mbappe and ...ESPN - 1h -
‘Shut up’ – Atlético Madrid president hits back at Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois
Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has this weekend taken full advantage of the opportunity to aim something of a dig at Real Madrid star Thibaut Courtois.Goalkeeper Courtois, for his part, ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Devils outlast Oilers with third-period comeback for third straight win
Jesper Bratt had a goal and two assists for his second straight three-point game and the New Jersey Devils rallied to beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 on Thursday night.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Pitcher Julio Urías suspended through the All-Star break by MLB under domestic violence policy
Urías had pleaded no contest last May to one count of misdemeanor domestic battery.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Brandin Cooks and the Saints agree to a 2-year deal reuniting the receiver with his first NFL team
The New Orleans Saints have brought back receiver Brandin Cooks, their 2014 first-round draft choice, on a two-year, free-agent contract. Cooks, whose return to New Orleans was announced by Saints ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
'Ungrateful' Najee Harris blasted by ESPN analyst for his Steelers criticism
ESPN analyst Bart Scott blasted Najee Harris for his recent Steelers comments.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Best QB fit for Giants is actually Russell Wilson, not Aaron Rodgers
Although Wilson isn’t quite the player he was in his prime, his mobility could be crucial behind the Giants’ current offensive line, which has its challenges.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Padres' Yu Darvish to start season on injured list with elbow inflammation
Padres manager Mike Shildt said there is no timetable for Darvish's return.Yahoo Sports - 12m
More in Sports
-
Pitcher Julio Urías suspended through the All-Star break by MLB under domestic violence policy
Urías had pleaded no contest last May to one count of misdemeanor domestic battery.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Women's NCAA tournament: Live updates, scores and takeaways
Follow along as we track all 16 games on the opening day of the women's NCAA tournament.ESPN - 6m -
Brandin Cooks and the Saints agree to a 2-year deal reuniting the receiver with his first NFL team
The New Orleans Saints have brought back receiver Brandin Cooks, their 2014 first-round draft choice, on a two-year, free-agent contract. Cooks, whose return to New Orleans was announced by Saints ...Yahoo Sports - 7m -
'Ungrateful' Najee Harris blasted by ESPN analyst for his Steelers criticism
ESPN analyst Bart Scott blasted Najee Harris for his recent Steelers comments.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Best QB fit for Giants is actually Russell Wilson, not Aaron Rodgers
Although Wilson isn’t quite the player he was in his prime, his mobility could be crucial behind the Giants’ current offensive line, which has its challenges.Yahoo Sports - 11m