Former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois played his first Belgium game since 2023
Rudi Garcia's first game as Belgium boss ended in defeat to Ukraine as Thibaut Courtois conceded three goals on his return to international football after an absence of almost two years.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois had not played for Belgium since falling out with former boss Domenico Tedesco in June 2023.
But ex-Lille, Roma and Napoli boss Garcia replaced Tedesco in January and named Courtois in his squad for their Nations League play-off double header against Ukraine.
It looked to be the dream debut in the dugout for Frenchman Garcia as Romelu Lukaku gave Belgium the lead five minutes before half-time.
But Ukraine responded with three goals in 12 second-half minutes through substitutes Oleksiy Hutsuliak and Vladyslav Vanat, and Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi.
It left them in command of the play-off tie, with the second leg in Belgium on Sunday, 23 March (19:45 GMT).
Why did Courtois not play for Belgium for so long?
Reports at the time, external suggested Courtois left a Belgium training camp in 2023 after being overlooked for the captaincy in what would have been his first home game since winning his 100th cap.
Belgium were beaten by France in the last 16 of last summer's European Championship, with Al-Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels starting all four of their games in Germany.
Courtois held clear-the-air talks with his team-mates on his return to the international squad this week, and said he hoped the fans would accept him back as well.
"No-one complained that Courtois was back," Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur said on BBC Radio 5 live's Euro Leagues podcast.
"There will be some thinking he might be bad for group dynamics, but they have to admit as a goalkeeper and player he is their best way to success and that is how opportunistic players are.
"He likes to provoke. He likes to attract enemies, but he needs that adversity, it brings out the best in him."
During his absence from the international team, Courtois suffered two serious knee injuries that kept him sidelined for months.
However, the former Chelsea goalkeeper returned to help Real Madrid win La Liga and the Champions League last season.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague added: "You are talking about the best goalkeeper in the world who has become even stronger after his injury.
"He still does at least one miracle save a game."
