United States 2-5 Belgium: Lukebakio at the double in emphatic victory

Dodi Lukebakio came off the bench to score twice as Belgium cruised to a 5-2 victory over the United States.

Benfica attacker Lukebakio curled in an exceptional finish just six minutes after entering the fray at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

That goal put Belgium 4-1 to the good, with Rudi Garcia’s team having turned the friendly on its head after falling behind in the 39th minute.

Weston McKennie put Mauricio Pochettino’s USA team ahead, but the hosts’ lead was cancelled out on the stroke of half-time when Zeno Debast pounced on Matt Turner’s mistake.

Christian Pulisic saw a great chance to restore the USA’s lead go begging early in the second half, and Belgium capitalised as Amadou Onana coolly slotted home at the other end.

A Tim Ream handball handed Charles De Ketelaere the chance to make it 3-1 from the spot, and the forward made no mistake.

Lukebakio then put Belgium out of sight with his two-goal cameo, with his second strike hit with particular venom. Turner made a fine save to deny Lois Openda, before Patrick Agyemang restored some pride for Pochettino’s team.

1959 – The 5-2 loss to Belgium is the largest margin of defeat in home a match in which the #USMNT scored the opening goal since an 8-1 loss to England in May 1959. Unravel. pic.twitter.com/9NSjQ4RldO

— OptaJack (@OptaJack) March 28, 2026

Data Debrief: USA unravel

It all looked good for the USA when McKennie put them in front, yet they ended up suffering their heaviest defeat in a match in which they had taken the lead in almost 70 years.

This margin of defeat is their largest in such a match since an 8-1 loss to England in 1959.

Pochettino, whose team face Portugal next week, will be disappointed with his side’s defending, with Belgium tallying up 21 shots, 10 of which were on target, with the Red Devils creating chances worth a combined 2.36 expected goals.

Jeremy Doku may not have got on the scoresheet, but he played a part in two of Belgium’s goals and was a constant menace. He created three chances, leading the match along with Kevin De Bruyne and Malik Tillman.