Belgium beats USA 5-2; Mexico vs Portugal ends 0-0 in soccer friends | World Cup 2026 News

The United States were beaten 5-2 by Belgium in a humbling defeat for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as they prepare to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Mexico and Portugal played out a goalless draw.

Saturday’s blow comes as a wake-up call just 75 days before the tournament for the USA, who, after a good run of recent results, have once again been found seriously lacking against top European opposition.

“I see it 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. “Of course we have to improve.”

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 their chances of making a deep run in the World Cup likely hinged on beating elite European teams, let slip any hopes of a statement victory.

After conceding, the Belgians quickly came alive, with a flurry 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 played Portugal in another high-profile friendly on Tuesday before Pochettino announced his final squad in May.

Man dies at Azteca before Mexico-Portugal match

Meanwhile, Mexico’s friendly against Portugal, celebrating the re-opening of Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium ahead of the World Cup, ended in a 0-0 draw.

The reopening became controversial when a man died after falling from a seating area shortly before the game, security officials said.

Authorities said the man was intoxicated. He was tempted to jump from the second-level box seats to the first level by climbing along the outside of the structure before falling to the ground floor, they said.

The match doubled as a test event for the refurbished stadium, drawing a festive crowd eager to sample the atmosphere ahead of the June 11-July 19 tournament.

The iconic venue, which hosted the finals of the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, has been closed for renovations since May 2024 and will host five World Cup matches: three in the first round and two in the knockout stages.

The Portuguese faced the game with absences, especially those of forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Leao.

Portugal’s Joao Felix came close in the 14th minute before Goncalo Ramos hit the post midway through the first half.

The visitors still looked the more dangerous side after the break, with Bruno Fernandes firing just wide.

Tensions flared briefly between Pedro Neto and Jesus Gallardo, while the introduction of Toluca’s Portuguese striker Paulinho was met with loud cheers from the home crowd.

“I think we had 10 shots on goal, which is not far from what we were aiming for,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said.

“What is not good is the number of shots on target, we lacked accuracy.

“Success or failure is not just about the score. There are many more factors at play these days. I think that after 90 minutes the team is better prepared for the World Cup,” said Martinez.

Mexico, who were booed by sections of the crowd at the ‌final whistle‌ ‌, face Belgium in another friendly on Tuesday.

The co-hosts of the tournament will face South Africa against the Azteca in the tournament on June 11.

Wirtz shines for Germany in Switzerland

In other results, Germany forward Florian Wirtz scored twice, including an 86th-minute winner, and set up two more as his side twice came from a goal down to beat Switzerland 4-3 in Basel.

22-year-old Wirtz put the visitors 3-2 up just after the hour with a stunning 18-yard curling effort and grabbed the winner with another spectacular strike from the edge of the box in an entertaining game.

Wirtz, who has missed the 2022 World Cup through injury, has struggled for form in his first season at Liverpool, but on Friday he played arguably his best game for the national team.

“Well, with four scorers, most likely, yes,” Wirtz said. “We have a tight World Cup phase ahead of us, and of course we want to reach the final and win the trophy, but we all know it will be a very difficult road until then.”