World Cup co-hosts USA suffered a humbling 2-5 defeat to Belgium on Saturday, with head coach <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/boss-pochettino-on-chelsea-penalty-fiasco-its-a-shame-23344685" rel="nofollow">Mauricio Pochettino</a> labelling the result as a wake-up call.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I see this as a good check reality for us, because now is the moment to feel this type of situation, to improve. To feel sometimes the pain is good,&rdquo; said Pochettino.&nbsp;
<img title="Mauricio Pochettino" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/us-bel-b_e.jpg" alt="Mauricio Pochettino" width="1280" height="720" />Mauricio Pochettino
The US took the lead through Weston McKennie (39th min), before Zeno Debast equalised six minutes later. Belgium then burst into life in the second-half with a deluge of goals from Amadou Onana (53), Charles De Ketelaere (59), and Dodi Lukebakio (68 and 82).&nbsp;
Patrick Agyemang&rsquo;s 87th-minute spot kick did little to reduce USA&rsquo;s woes. By then, thousands of US fans had left the domed arena, and full time was greeted with a smattering of boos and whistles.
The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/pochettino-calm-despite-chelsea-crisis-23334037" rel="nofollow">World Cup</a> begins on June 11 and will be held across the US, Canada and Mexico.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

“I see this as a good check reality for us, because now is the moment to feel this type of situation, to improve. To feel sometimes the pain is good,”

Belgium thrash USA 5-2 in football pre-World Cup friendly, sending hosts a reality check

Beckhams’ Cotswolds estate lighting plans draw neighbour backlash

“I see this as a good check reality for us, because now is the moment to feel this type of situation, to improve. To feel sometimes the pain is good,” said Pochettino. 

Belgium thrash USA 5-2 in pre-World Cup friendly, sending hosts a reality check

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Football / Article / Belgium thrash USA 5-2 in pre-World Cup friendly, sending hosts a reality check