Thibaut Courtois Ungkap Strategi Belgia Redam Lamine Yamal di Perempat Final

Penjaga gawang tim nasional Belgia Thibaut Courtois membeberkan strategi khusus untuk menghentikan pergerakan penyerang sayap Spanyol Lamine Yamal menjelang laga perempat final Piala Dunia 2026 yang akan berlangsung pada Jumat malam waktu setempat.

Kiper Real Madrid tersebut menyadari ancaman besar yang dibawa oleh bintang muda Barcelona itu setelah sering menghadapinya di kompetisi La Liga.

"Lamine is Lamine; we know he’s very talented in one-on-one situations," ujar Thibaut Courtois kepada hayters.com.

"He’s very quick and very agile. He can dribble two players and then he also plays through balls."

Courtois menilai bahwa menghadapi talenta luar biasa seperti Yamal membutuhkan kedisiplinan tinggi dari lini pertahanan timnya.

"I think ultimately it’s about marking him very closely, and when we can create a two-on-one situation, I think that’s how you try to stop him, but he’s a star, he’s a great player and it really is difficult to stop him," kata Thibaut Courtois.

Belgia berhasil melaju ke babak delapan besar setelah menumbangkan tuan rumah Amerika Serikat di babak 16 besar, namun Courtois meyakini Spanyol akan menjadi ujian yang jauh lebih berat.

"It’s a special match for me," tutur Thibaut Courtois.

" It is obviously a tough one for us – Spain are the favourites, that much is clear."

Pertandingan ini menjadi momen perdana bagi Courtois menghadapi La Roja di turnamen mayor di luar laga persahabatan.

"Apart from in friendly matches, this is the first time I’ve come up against Spain in a major tournament, so it’s a special moment. I’ve already had loads of messages saying they’re not backing me this time, but anyway, at the end of the day I think it’s great and we’ll do everything we can to try and win," jelas Thibaut Courtois.

Meskipun mengemban tugas berat, sang penjaga gawang tetap optimistis menyongsong laga hidup-mati tersebut.

"We know it’s a very difficult task, but then again, it’s football and anything is possible," ucap Thibaut Courtois.

Sementara itu, suasana di kubu tim nasional Spanyol dilaporkan sangat kondusif dan santai saat menjalani sesi latihan di Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles pada 9 Juli 2026.

Gelandang Spanyol Gavi memberikan respons hangat ketika mengetahui Justin Bieber dijadwalkan tampil dalam upacara paruh waktu laga final di New Jersey pada 19 July nanti.

"Yeah, I like Justin Bieber. If he sings at the final, even better. But we want to be there whether he sings or not," kata Gavi seperti dilansir dari en.as.com.

Pemain Barcelona tersebut menegaskan bahwa kekuatan utama skuad La Roja saat ini terletak pada persatuan dan kejelasan peran setiap pemain.

"It’s important that everyone is clear about their role, whether they play or not. We’re a national team — we represent a country. You have to contribute, whether it’s in training or when you get minutes.

The other day the subs came in and changed the match. Our biggest strength is that we’re united," tegas Gavi.

Penyerang Spanyol Borja Iglesias turut merefleksikan pengalamannya selama berada di dalam skuad arahan pelatih yang telah membawa mereka menjuarai Nations League dan Euro.

"One day, Claudio Giráldez gave us a talk that made me think. He said, ‘Soccer teaches you that you must always play — but reality is you don’t.’ And it’s true.

You prepare yourself to be available. But being here is already a luxury. I feel loved and supported.

The other day I got so many hugs," kenang Borja Iglesias.

Iglesias mengingatkan timnya untuk tidak jemawa dan bercermin pada sejarah 40 tahun lalu di Puebla saat Spanyol yang diunggulkan justru takluk dari Belgia.

"I don’t like talking about favorites. Portugal was one of the strongest teams in the World Cup. Belgium will be just as tough, or tougher.

They have great players. Right now, I’d say the best is Doku. Hopefully everything goes well tomorrow," ujar Borja Iglesias.

Ia menambahkan bahwa kebersamaan tim yang konsisten menjadi pembeda utama skuad Spanyol generasi saat ini dengan sejarah masa lalu.

"What makes this team different from others in Spain’s history is the group. We’ve basically had the same squad since the coach took over. That’s how we won the Nations League and the Euro.

We’re all together. I’m calm. I look at the team and trust we’ll give our best — hopefully all the way to the final," tambah Borja Iglesias.

Pilar Spanyol lainnya, Mikel Oyarzabal, mengekspresikan kepuasannya terhadap keharmonisan yang terjalin di dalam tim.

"I’m happy with how everything is going collectively," kata Mikel Oyarzabal.

Oyarzabal juga meyakini bahwa Lamine Yamal akan menunjukkan performa puncaknya di laga-laga krusial ini.

"Absolutely," respons Mikel Oyarzabal saat ditanya mengenai potensi penampilan terbaik Yamal.

Ia kemudian menutup tanggapannya dengan memberikan dukungan moral kepada rekan setimnya, Ferran Torres.

"He knows he’s important for us. He’ll get chances. He’s close to doing big things. And he’ll get more, for sure," pungkas Mikel Oyarzabal.