Holy crap, Thibaut Courtois!

I have a secret to share: Most amazing saves are actually almost errors. At least half the time you see a goalkeeper make a mind-blowing, World Class save, they had to do so because they reacted slowly or had a bad starting position. And in the case of some shorter goalkeepers, saves that larger goalkeepers would have made look routine are made to look sensational because of their lack of size.

I do not say this to denigrate goalkeepers or take anything away from anyone’s amazing save. There will be no highlight trutherism today. I simply point this out so that you can better appreciate this save by 6’6” Thibaut Courtois.

This save on Neymar, one of the best attackers in the world, preserved Belgium’s 2-1 victory over Brazil and sent them to the World Cup semifinal. Courtois, because he’s 6’6” with a huge wingspan and incredible jumping ability, makes it look almost routine. But it was not — your favorite 5’11” goalkeeper probably does not get to this. This would have gone over the hand of a lot of excellent goalkeepers, hit the underside of the crossbar, and sent Brazil to extra time.

But it didn’t, because Thibaut Courtois is an alien.