ATLANTA (AP) – Belgium beat the United States 5-2 in a World Cup prelude on Saturday, exposing the American defensive woes as they rallied from a deficit late in the first half with two goals from Dodi Lukebakio and one each from Zeno De Basto, Amadou Onana and Charles de Quetelaere.
Weston McKennie put the Americans ahead in the 39th minute with his 12th international goal and his first in three years, but De Basto and Onana started Belgium’s fightback with their first international goals on a disappointing afternoon for former American No. 1 goalkeeper Matt Turner, who was playing for the first time since last June.
De Basto scored in the 45th minute, Onana put the Red Devils ahead in the 53rd minute and De Quetelaele converted a penalty in the 59th minute after a handball from American captain Tim Ream.
Lukebakio entered the game in the 62nd minute and beat Turner with long-range shots in the 68th and 82nd minutes to build a 5-1 lead, much to the dismay of the mostly pro-American crowd of 66,867 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, site of July’s World Cup semifinals.
Patrick Agyemang scored in the 87th minute after Ricardo Pepi took advantage of a defensive misplay.
According to Opta news agency, the United States lost the home game by three points, the first time they were given the lead since losing 8-1 to England in 1959.
Since losing to the United States in the first World Cup in 1930, Belgium has extended its undefeated record to 10 games and has won six consecutive games against the United States.
The U.S. entered the game unbeaten in five games, giving some reason for optimism, but they were missing several injured regulars.
McKennie took advantage of a Johnny Cardoso pick to cut in front of Nicholas Raskin and volleyed Anthony Robinson’s corner kick past Senne Ramens to put the Americans ahead.
American players debuted red and white striped jerseys that resembled waving flags.
The roof of the air-conditioned stadium was closed and fans booed the water break that takes place during the first half of every World Cup match.
Belgium was without striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielders Leandro Trossard and Hans Vanaken and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois due to injury and fitness issues. The Red Devils will play Mexico on Tuesday in Chicago.
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