Belgium thrash USA 5-2; Mexico vs Portugal ends 0-0 in football friendlies

The United States were routed 5-2 by Belgium in a humbling defeat for Mauricio Pochettino’s team as they prepare to cohost the FIFA World Cup 2026, while Mexico and Portugal played to a goalless draw. Saturday’s thrashing comes as a wake-up call just 75 days before the tournament for the USA, who, after a good run of recent results, were again found severely lacking against top European opposition. “I see this as a good reality check for us, because now is the moment to feel this type of situation, to improve,” Pochettino said after the game in Atlanta.

“We need to improve, of course. ” The USA took an early lead against the world’s ninth-ranked team, with Weston McKennie slotting in to the delight of a packed Atlanta crowd of 67,000. But the Americans, knowing that their chances of making a deep run in the World Cup will likely depend on beating elite European sides, saw any hopes of a statement victory dashed.

Having conceded, the Belgians swiftly came to life, with a deluge of goals from Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana, and Charles De Ketelaere, and a brace from substitute Dodi Lukebakio. Patrick Agyemang grabbed a late consolation for the USA, who play Portugal in another high-profile friendly on Tuesday before Pochettino announces his final squad in May. Weston McKennie opened the scoring for the USA against Belgium [Mike Stewart/AP Photo] Man dies at Azteca before Mexico-Portugal match Meanwhile, Mexico’s friendly against Portugal, marking the reopening of the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City ahead of the World Cup, ended in a 0-0 draw.

The reopening became controversial as a man died after falling from ⁠a box seat area shortly before the match, ⁠security officials said. Authorities said the ⁠man was intoxicated. He ⁠attempted to jump from the second-level box seats to the first level by climbing ‌along the exterior of the structure before falling to the ground ‌floor, ‌they said.