In an international friendly held in Atlanta, Georgia, Belgium asserted their superiority by coming from behind to rout the United States 5-2. Although Weston McKennie opened the scoring for the hosts, the Belgians responded emphatically with goals from Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana, Charles De Ketelaere, and a brace from Dodi Lukebakio. A late strike from Patrick Agyemang provided a minor consolation for the North Americans.

THE MATCH

The opening 45 minutes were a tightly contested affair, with both sides carving out clear-cut opportunities. While Belgium looked the more dangerous in the final third, it was the hosts who drew first blood.

Late in the first half, Weston McKennie latched onto a pass from Robinson and fired into the corner to give the United States the lead. However, Belgium were level almost immediately, as Zeno Debast pounced on a loose ball in the area to equalise before the interval, ensuring a high-octane spectacle for the Atlanta crowd.

Upon the restart, the Belgians exerted total dominance over the United States, turning the match into a ruthless attacking display. Amadou Onana restored the lead in the opening minutes of the half, and just six minutes later, Charles De Ketelaere coolly dispatched a penalty to extend the advantage to 3-1.

With the visitors firmly in control of the contest, they turned to their bench, and substitute Dodi Lukebakio soon added a fourth. The forward then punished a defensive lapse to net his second and Belgium's fifth of the afternoon. In the closing stages, Patrick Agyemang managed to grab a late consolation for the North Americans.

Both teams return to action on Tuesday, with Belgium set to face Mexico, while the United States travel to take on Portugal.

P. Agyemang

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