Belgium Crush USA with Five Goals in Embarrassing World Cup Loss for Co-Hosts

Unbeaten in their previous five preparation matches ahead of this summers FIFA World Cup with four wins and one draw the co-hosts USA recognised the importance of a strong opening against a talented Belgian team. Yet it was the Red Devils who generated the initial clear chance as Alexis Saelemaekers blasted over from an inviting spot inside the penalty area.

Thankful for that initial escape the USA gradually warmed to the task and might have gone ahead but Weston McKennies effort from close proximity was brilliantly blocked by Senne Lammens.

Having netted three or more goals in six of their preceding nine outings Belgium kept posing risks near goal with Saelemaekers low shot easily gathered by Matt Turner while Charles De Ketelaere had a smart effort disallowed due to a handball during the sequence.

The Stars and Stripes went in front soon afterwards as McKennie was left free in the six yard box to finish from Antonee Robinsons corner kick

Unfazed Belgium levelled matters right on the cusp of the interval when Zeno Debast claimed his debut international strike with a stunning long distance drive into the bottom corner past Turner.

The back and forth action persisted into the opening moments of the second half with Christian Pulisic firing high and wide from 12 yards out.

The home team paid the price for that error immediately as Saelemaekers smart pull back was deftly converted by Amadou Onana.

Belgium sought to capitalise on their edge and following a sharp save from Turner on Jeremy Dokus attempt the away side won a spot kick after Tim Ream was controversially punished for handball inside the area. De Ketelaere stepped up and deceived Turner to increase the Red Devils advantage.

With complete control Garcia brought on several starters as the clock ticked towards the last 30 minutes.

Among the substitutes Dodi Lukebakio marked his entry by scoring in the 68th minute slicing in from the right edge of the box and firing an exquisite shot into the upper corner.

The final phase became about containing the damage for Mauricio Pochettinos team but Belgium stayed clinical up front adding a fifth as Lukebakio drove a rebound beyond Turner.

A tardy response from Patrick Agyemang who exploited a blunder by Youri Tielemans offered a small boost for the hosts yet it proved a harsh evening for the Stars and Stripes marking their initial loss ever in the state of Georgia with prior record of two wins and two draws.