News

The USMNT get humbled 5-2 by Belgium after conceding four goals in the second half

Saelemaekers and Pulisic battle for the ball.
© Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesSaelemaekers and Pulisic battle for the ball.

The USMNT faced a tough test against Belgium, the strongest team they have played so far. In a result that raises plenty of questions, Belgium came out on top with a 5-2 victory in Atlanta.

After a promising first half where the USMNT had the better scoring opportunities, everything fell apart. Weston McKennie had put the team ahead with a set-piece goal, but a long-range strike just before halftime leveled the score and shifted the momentum.

Belgium dominated the second half, scoring three goals in 15 minutes to pull away. The rest of the match saw just one more goal for each side, making the final score 5-2 in a disappointing outing for the U.S.

Full-time: USMNT 2-5 Belgium

The match ends with Belgium securing a dominant 5-2 victory over the United States.

Agyemang pulls one back for USMNT

87' Patrick Agyemang scores to make it 2-5, giving the U.S. a consolation goal.

Turner keeps USMNT in check

86' Lois Openda tries to poke the ball past Turner, but the goalkeeper makes a strong save to keep it out.

Lukebakio doubles his tally

82' Dodi Lukebakio scores his second goal to make it 5-1 for Belgium.

Lukebakio fires past USMNT

68' Dodi Lukebakio scores a brilliant goal to make it 4-1 for Belgium.

De Ketelaere scores from penalty

59' After a VAR review confirmed Ream’s handball, De Ketelaere calmly sends the penalty into the net to make it 3-1 for Belgium.

Onana gives Belgium the lead

53' Onana finishes a move started by Doku to put Belgium ahead.

Second half kicks off

The match resumes as the second half gets underway.

Halftime

The first half comes to an end with the score level.

Turner saves Saelemaekers effort

45 + 3' After a corner falls to him at the edge of the box, Saelemaekers fires on goal but Turner makes the save.

Debast equalizes for Belgium

45' After Doku’s shot is parried by Turner, Debast drills a low strike from the edge of the box into the corner to level it.

McKennie puts USA ahead

39' McKennie meets Robinson’s corner at the back post and volleys it in to give the USMNT the lead.

432

Belgium goal ruled out for handball

37' After Doku’s low cross and Turner’s parry, De Ketelaere finishes into the net but it’s disallowed for handball.

Lammens saves Balogun effort

31' Lammens gets down low to stop Balogun’s shot.

Turner denies De Bruyne

27' Turner tips over a long-range De Bruyne strike that takes a deflection and threatens the crossbar.

Cooling break underway

22' Players pause for a three-minute hydration break.

McKennie denied by Lammens

17' McKennie meets a flick-on at the back post and volleys across goal, but Lammens makes a big save to keep it out.

Pulisic shoots wide

14' Pulisic advances and sends a low shot wide.

Belgium chance

11' Saelemaekers fires over the bar after a pass from De Bruyne.

USMNT close again

9' Robinson’s low strike from outside the box following a short corner is saved by Lammens.

Chance missed by Pulisic

7' A good cross from the right by Weah is headed by Pulisic over the crossbar.

Kickoff

The match started with a few minutes of delay.

Confirmed lineup for Belgium

Senne Lammens; Thomas Meunier, Zeno Debast, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper; Nicolas Raskin, Amadou Onana; Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Alexis Saelemaekers; Charles De Ketelaere.

Confirmed lineup for the USMNT

Matt Turner; Timothy Weah, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Tanner Tessmann, Johnny Cardoso; Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic; Folarin Balogun.

World Cup groups

The World Cup draw has already defined the groups and opponents for both national teams. The USMNT are in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and the winner between Türkiye and Kosovo, while Belgium are in Group G with Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.

The stadium

The match venue is Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. It has a capacity of 71,000.

Where to watch

You can watch this match on TNT, TruTV, Telemundo, Universo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Sling Orange, Hulu + Live TV, Peacock Premium or Max in the USA.

Live coverage of USMNT vs Belgium begins

Welcome to live coverage of the international friendly USMNT vs Belgium.

200+ Channels & Local Sports
  • Price: Plans starting at $14.99/mo (Latino)
  • Watch Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores & World Cup Qualifiers
Every MLS Match in One Place
  • Price: $12.99/mo (Now included with standard subscription)
  • Watch every MLS regular season game, Playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
  • Price: $11.99/mo (or ESPN Unlimited for $29.99/mo)
  • Features LaLiga, Bundesliga, FA Cup & NWSL
2,000+ Soccer Games Per Year
  • Price: Starting at $8.99/mo
  • Features Champions League, Serie A & Europa League
Home of the Premier League
  • Price: Starting at $10.99/mo
  • 175+ Exclusive EPL matches per season

EDITORS’ PICKS