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Thibaut Courtois is rivalling Kevin De Bruyne as Belgium’s most creative player

The goalkeeper has been a revelation at the World Cup with his precision distribution

By Samuel Gilbert
6th July 2018, 7:53 pm
Updated: 6th July 2018, 8:08 pm

He’s not known for his pinpoint distribution. 

Thibaut Courtois has emerged as one of Belgium’s most creative players at the World Cup.

The Chelsea goalkeeper has taken some of the headlines away from the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, proving to be a playmaker in his own right.

Release the kraken!
AFP or licensors
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Release the kraken!

Courtois’ quick thinking has been the source of several counter-attacks from Belgium at the tournament.

Against Japan, the 26-year-old stopper started the deadly counter that ended the opposition’s World Cup hopes in stoppage time.

Courtois cleverly rolled the ball into the feet of De Bruyne, when other keepers might have gone long or not seen the opportunity.

The Chelsea man rolled the ball into the feet of De Bruyne who travelled towards the halfway line
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The Chelsea man rolled the ball into the feet of De Bruyne who travelled towards the halfway line

The move ended with Nacer Chadli tapping in from close range but Courtois’ quick-thinking started it all
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The move ended with Nacer Chadli tapping in from close range but Courtois’ quick-thinking started it all

Courtois again showed off his creative talents in the quarter-final against Brazil.

The former Atletico Madrid man picked out Romelu Lukaku with an arrow-like throw, sending Belgium from defence to attack in a matter of seconds.

Courtois gathered the ball before releasing a long throw up to Lukaku
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Courtois gathered the ball before releasing a long throw up to Lukaku

The ball bounced all the way past the halfway line and straight to the feet of the Man United man
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The ball bounced all the way past the halfway line and straight to the feet of the Man United man

Lukaku evaded the challenge of the Brazilian defenders and Belgium had the ball in the opposition’s box
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Lukaku evaded the challenge of the Brazilian defenders and Belgium had the ball in the opposition’s box

Eden Hazard saw his effort blocked but Courtois was to thank for starting the attack
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Eden Hazard saw his effort blocked but Courtois was to thank for starting the attack

Romelu Lukaku has also turned into a key creative-spark for Belgium.

The Man United man has chipped in with both goals and assists at the tournament and is a player full of confidence.

Lukaku played a crucial role in Belgium’s second goal against Brazil in the quarter-final
AP:Associated Press
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Lukaku played a crucial role in Belgium’s second goal against Brazil in the quarter-final

Belgium’s talented squad are finally living up to their undoubted potential, with every player contributing throughout the team.

It’s rare that De Bruyne is not the standout talent.

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