Nottingham Forest star Matz Sels has every right to feel justified after cruel World Cup blow

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Nottingham Forest star Matz Sels was inexplicably overlooked by Belgium for the World Cup this summer.

Thibaut Courtois was always going to be the number one goalkeeper for the Red Devils, with Sanne Lammens going as his understudy.

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However, despite featuring in qualifying for Belgium, Sels was overlooked by Rudi Garcia, with youngster Mike Penders taken along as the third choice option instead.

Now, with Belgium crashing out of the competition at the hands of Spain, Sels can feel extremely justified to have been so annoyed by his omission.

Sanne Lammens’ error highlights Sels mistake

The Manchester United goalkeeper made a crucial error which allowed Spain to reach the last four of the competition at their expense.

Courtois had picked up an injury during the contest, and Garcia decided that it was for the best to take his first-choice goalkeeper off the pitch.

Sels won the Golden Glove during the 2024/25 campaign, and ultimately his form did drop off last season, but not to the level that made it fair he was overlooked for the World Cup.

The experienced custodian will feel that his performances for club and country, when called upon, should have earned him a spot in the squad.

Sels has made 13 appearances for Belgium and frankly, he has every right to feel very aggrieved to have not made the cut to join his compatriots at the World Cup this summer.

Sels’ omission can be good for Forest

With Stefan Ortega leaving Forest and John Victor likely to also depart this summer, Sels has a very good opportunity to remain the first choice custodian.

As a result, he will want to prove to Garcia that he’s made a mistake, and if Oliver Glasner makes him his number one, there’s every chance he will have a point to prove.

Sels is a very good goalkeeper, and with Forest not looking to make wholesale changes to the squad, he will fancy retaining his spot as the first choice.

Courtois has announced in the aftermath of the World Cup that he’s taking a sabbatical from Belgium duty and as a result, Sels will fancy reclaiming his spot on the international stage.