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Madrid World Cup Spotlight: Thibaut Courtois and Belgium survive by the skin of their teeth against Senegal

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Thibaut Courtois, Belgium and Real Madrid player

Real Madrid have had an excellent showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup thus far, with many of their players making an impression at the tournament.

Undoubtedly, the star performer has been Kylian Mbappe, with the Frenchman seemingly in unstoppable attacking form for Les Bleus.

Vinicius Jr has also been excellent for Brazil, although he could not score against Japan and will be keen to make amends against Norway.

Last night, England faced DR Congo in a tight affair that the Three Lions eventually won 2-1, and Jude Bellingham featured in it.

Senegal vs Belgium was even more dramatic. For 85 minutes, the African side completely dominated and were right on top.

However, Belgium, led by an inspired Romelu Lukaku, scored twice in three minutes to take the tie to extra time before scoring the winning goal in stoppage time.

From a Madrid perspective, Thibaut Courtois was in goal for Belgium. Here is how Los Blancos’ star duo fared on the night.

Jude Bellingham vs DR Congo

Jude Bellingham, England and Real Madrid player
Bellingham failed to inspire against Congo. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Real Madrid had two players living through very different kinds of World Cup stress, and both came out of it with their teams still alive.

Jude Bellingham started as England came from behind to beat DR Congo 2-1. This was not the explosive follow-up to his excellent display against Panama.

He was booked in the first half as England struggled to impose themselves after Brian Cipenga’s seventh-minute opener.

Bellingham kept arriving in dangerous areas and had three efforts saved. He was involved and aggressive, but the final product was lacking.

Bellingham did not disappear when England were under pressure. He kept asking questions, kept making runs and helped keep the match tilted towards DR Congo’s goal before Harry Kane eventually turned it around.

If there was not much to take away from Bellingham’s game, it definitely was not for a lack of trying, and that is a positive.

This game showed that England still rely heavily on individual moments. Kane scored twice and Anthony Gordon assisted both goals.

The important part is that Bellingham stays alive to fight another day at the competition.

Thibaut Courtois vs Senegal

Thibaut Courtois survived an even wilder night as Belgium recovered from 2-0 down to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time.

Thibaut Courtois, Belgium and Real Madrid player
Courtois put on a commanding performance vs Senegal. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

It was a very difficult night, emotionally, for Madrid’s shot-stopper. Senegal actually won the xG battle 3.54 to 1.80.

That alone shows how much Belgium had to survive before their late comeback.

Courtois still made three saves and Belgium’s back line needed 28 clearances to get through the Senegal storm.

This was not a clean, dominant goalkeeper performance. The veteran shot-stopper almost made a huge mistake early in the first half.

He failed to deal with a cross into the box, only to divert it into the path of Ismail Sarr, who bundled it on to the post.

Courtois also could not come up with his usual heroics to stop either goal for his country. It is fair to say that Belgium survived in this tournament by the skin of their teeth.

Mentally, the Madrid star would have been preparing for the game to go into a penalty shootout, which would have given him a chance to become a star for his nation.

However, Belgium were handed a controversial late penalty, which Youri Tielemans bundled home to take them to the next round and set up a date with the USA.

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Matches

Guler, Trent start in a 4-2-3-1: How Real Madrid can line up against Elche

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Arda Guler and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid
Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images

Real Madrid will lock horns with Elche CF away at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight in Matchday 6 of the 2026/27 La Liga season.

The Merengues are currently second in the league standings with four wins and one defeat from five games, three points behind Barcelona, who are yet to drop a single point this term, and have looked unstoppable.

Given the situation, Real Madrid know there is no room for slip-up, even though it is still very early in the season.

Jose Mourinho’s men have not been particularly convincing away from home this term, having just about managed to beat RCD Espanyol in their opening match before falling to their only defeat of the campaign against Real Betis.

The hope will be to address that issue and put in a strong performance while collecting all three points heading into the derby against Atletico Madrid later in the week.

Going into the match, Los Blancos have not received any new fitness boosts, with Eder Militao, Rodrygo Goes, and Ferland Mendy still unavailable.

However, there will likely be some rotations with an eye on the derby, and here’s how Mourinho could set his team up against Elche tonight.

Defence

Trent Alexander-Arnold has had to share minutes with summer signing Denzel Dumfries so far this season, but will be hoping to make the right-back spot his own with a convincing performance tonight against Elche.

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid
Set to return to the lineup. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, on the left, Alvaro Carreras is expected to retain his place after a brilliant display at the weekend against Rayo Vallecano, which would also allow Marc Cucurella to be protected before the derby.

At centre-back, Dean Huijsen is expected to return to the starting lineup, at the expense of Antonio Rudiger, and partner with Ibrahima Konate.

Thibaut Courtois is the undisputed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will continue his search for a second clean sheet this season.

Midfield

While Aurelien Tchouameni has returned from his injury layoff, he is unlikely to be rushed back by Mourinho. As such, the Frenchman is likely to feature off the bench once again tonight at Elche.

Instead, the double pivot pairing of Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva is expected to take the field once again, with Eduardo Camavinga also having to settle for a spot among the substitutes.

Jude Bellingham has started all of Real Madrid’s matches so far this season and given his form and importance to the team, Mourinho will not rotate him tonight against Elche.

Attack

Arda Guler, Real Madrid player
Guler has been very impressive. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Yan Diomande made his first start at Real Madrid last weekend against Rayo Vallecano but failed to make the best impression.

Meanwhile, Arda Guler was once again brilliant for Los Blancos after coming on as a substitute, making a strong case for him to be reinstated to the starting XI on the right wing.

As for the left side of the attack, Vinicius Jr. will retain his place, hoping to find his best form after a rather slow start to the campaign.

Kylian Mbappe, who has now scored six goals in La Liga this season, will spearhead the attack, hoping to end his run of seven months without scoring away from home in the league.

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