Who is Belgium's goalkeeper? Thibaut Courtois ended the USA's run

Thibaut Courtois ended the United States' World Cup twice, 12 years apart.

The first time, in 2014, Tim Howard made 16 saves and it still wasn't enough. Belgium won 2-1 in extra time. Monday night in Seattle was nothing like that. The Americans put two shots on goal all night. Malik Tillman got a free kick past Courtois to tie it, Belgium scored three unanswered, and the Belgian goalkeeper stood around until the 82nd minute, when Folarin Balogun broke free down the left and found him waiting, Balogun shot, Courtois saved it. That was the last real chance the Americans had at this World Cup.

After, Courtois took the opportunity to twist the knife.

Courtois told Belgian public broadcaster Sporza he felt more certain of beating the Americans than he had against Senegal in the round of 32, because Senegal is the better team, and that Monday proved it. He added that he read about FIFA overturning Balogun's red card after a call from President Donald Trump and laughed.

"In recent days, we have been shown a lack of respect here in the U.S.," Courtois told Sporza. "It was said they could beat us easily, but I think today we proved we are a good team."

He has been in Belgium's goal since he was 19, debuting in 2011 with a clean sheet, and he passed Enzo Scifo earlier this tournament for the most World Cup appearances by a Belgian. In 2018 he made 27 saves, won the Golden Glove and carried Belgium to third place. The moment people still bring up came in the quarterfinal that year. Neymar's shot was bending into the top corner in the last minute when Courtois, all 6-foot-7 of him, got a hand on it.

That was eight years ago. Courtois is 34 now, and Spain is next. Spain has a goalkeeper who has not been scored on in 609 minutes. Courtois has given up five in five games. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are the last of the golden generation still standing with him.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Belgium's goalkeeper? Thibaut Courtois ended the USA's run