Belgium travelled to Cleveland, Ohio for a friendly with the USA in fine form as both sides used a prestige friendly to build for important World Cup qualifiers next month.
The visitors took the lead early on through Kevin Mirallas, but Stoke City defender Geoff Cameron equalised from a corner kick to level the scores after 45 minutes.
A dominant Belgium side took control after the break, with Christian Benteke completing a clinical brace either side of Marouane Fellaini's header from close range.
Clint Dempsey reduced the deficit with a late penalty kick but Belgium held firm to run out comfortable winners in an entertaining clash at the Field Energy Stadium.
Look back at an efficient display from Marc Wilmots's emerging side with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Hello international football fans and thanks for joining Sports Mole as we bring you live coverage of what promises to be an intriguing friendly between the USA and Belgium. Both sides are building towards important World Cup qualifiers and have talented squads hoping to impress young, driven coaches in Cleveland tonight.
The United States face a crucial fortnight in their quest to build a team capable of challenging at next summer's World Cup finals in Brazil. Jurgen Klinsmann's men will play two friendlies against high-profile European opponents before CONCACAF qualifiers against Jamaica, Panama and Honduras in June.
With their qualifying group so finely poised expect the US side to be strong this evening, with Klinsmann using games against Belgium and Germany to make tough selection decisions over his preferred starting XI. Places are up for grabs as a clutch of new squad members challenge established players for places in the German's plans.
Belgium have plenty to be optimistic about ahead of tonight's clash, with a young side packed full of Champions League experience emerging as a force in European football. Marc Wilmots has guided his team to the top of their World Cup qualifying group with a stylish, fluid style of play which has seen them go six matches unbeaten against strong opposition.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Both sides have opted for a blend of youth and experience this evening, with the US handing DaMarcus Beasley his 100th cap on a special night for the experienced midfielder. A full look at both starting XIs will follow shortly.
USA: Howard, Beasley, Gonzalez, Goodson, Cameron, Jones, Kljestan, Davis, Dempsey, Zusi, Altidore
BELGIUM: Mignolet, Vertonghen, Vermaelen, Kompany, Alderweireld, Defour, Fellaini, Dembele, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Mirallas
From a quick glance at the US starting XI it looks like Beasley will revert to left-back in a match which marks a century of appearances for the States. Tim Howard keeps his place in goal ahead of in-form Aston Villa stopper Brad Guzan, while Clarence Goodson returns in central defence.
Klinsmann is also without midfield duo Maurice Edu and Michael Bradley tonight, with neither man risked after picking up injuries in training. With Bradley out Jermaine Jones gets a chance to impress in the centre, while FC Twente foward Jozy Altidore leads the line in a lone forward role.
Belgium coach Wilmots has picked just about his strongest possible starting XI in Cleveland tonight, packed full of familiar faces for Premier League fans. The only notable omission for the visitors is Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke, who has to settle for a place on the bench.
A daunting Belgium defence features Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen, with Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet also starting for the visitors. Gunners captain Vermaelen will be relieved to have kept his place for the national side after falling out of favour with Arsene Wenger in recent months.
A pair of Chelsea loanees will be hoping to cause problems in attack tonight, with Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku both picked in forward positions. Everton forward Kevin Mirallas should also occupy a wide berth, with the talented duo of Marouane Fellaini and Moussa Dembele providing support from midfield.
PREDICTION! With both teams due out in Cleveland there is just time for me to register a guess as to will prevail in an international friendly which looks tough to call. I expect the US to be motivated but still come up short against quality opposition this evening. Belgium are packed with star players and I think Lukaku may just shine in a 2-1 win for the visitors.
We are slightly late getting underway in Ohio as the US begin a vital fortnight with a showpiece friendly against Belgium. Both teams have just emerged from the changing rooms, led by respective captains Dempsey and Kompany.
Tonight's match should also tell us a great deal about Belgium's ability to play well after a long trip away from home. If Wilmots's side are serious about challenging in Brazil next summer they must show an ability to deal with playing in unfamiliar surroundings. As we finish with the national anthems today's US test gives them the chance to do just that.
After a rousing rendition of Star Spangled Banner US midfielder Beasley is presented with a memento to commemorate his 100th cap. Following a spell in the wilderness the former Manchester City youngster has done well to fight back and earn a place in Klinsmann's new-look squad.
The US get this showpiece friendly at the home of the Cleveland Browns NFL team underway, shooting from left to right. An early attempt to find Altidore with a long diagonal is overhit and trickles through for a goal kick, which Mignolet sends high upfield.
Howard is forced to clear hurriedly for the hosts under pressure from De Bruyne, but Jones is on hand to win the ball in midfield and avert any potential danger. The States then attempt to counter down the left wing, with Fellaini dropping deep to stop Dempsey driving into the final third.
Clever approach play from Mirallas sees Belgium drive forward dangerously in numbers. A pacy overlap from Vertonghen eventually wins a corner kick for the hosts, but Howard comes out quickly to claim De Bruyne's cross with authority.
GOAL! USA 0-1 Belgium (Mirallas)
A rapid Belgium break sees the visitors go from nearly conceding to taking the lead in a matter of moments. The visitors countered swiftly after Altidore failed to control a Zusi cross and brutally exposed US defensive frailties. Howard initially did well to shut down Lukaku just inside the penalty area, but Mirallas was on hand to finish cooly on the rebound and send a deft chip into the bottom corner. A quite exquisite finish from the Everton winger and the in-form Belgians have an early advantage.
Another slick exchange in the final third has Belgium threatening to score a second, with De Bruyne firing wide from range after collecting an intricate flick from Lukaku. The hosts are getting swamped in midfield and reacting slowly to movement in wide areas early on in Cleveland.
Defour intercepts a sloppy diagonal pass from Davis and creates another chance for Belgium to attack, finding Vetonghen in a wide area. The full-back shows strength to keep possession and cross under pressure, but Goodson anticipates the danger and clears just as Fellaini looks set to meet a chipped cross at the far post. Klismann needs a reaction from his side urgently after a very tough start to the match.
Howard gets the hosts out of jail as De Bruyne just overhits a final pass towards Lukaku after Fellaini had robbed Cameron with a strong challenge in his own half. The Everton midfielder is playing in a slightly deeper role tonight than we normally see for his club and is far excelling in a withdrawn position.
This time De Bruyne sends a perfectly weighted pass to Mirallas out wide, but after strong play his cross is smashed clear by Gonzalez. A rare spell of possession for the home side then sees Brad Davis drive into the final third before overhitting a pass meant for Klještan's run beyond the Belgium back four.
GOAL! USA 1-1 Belgium (Cameron)
A slack Belgium defence is caught out as the USA get an equaliser completely against the run of play. Strong play from Jones saw the Schalke midfielder hold off two challenges in the centre before switching play for Davis to win a first corner kick for the US out wide. Davis took the set piece himself and sent a looping cross towards the back post. Dempsey climbed highest to flick across goal and Cameron did the rest, knocking in unmarked from close range. Game on at 1-1 to the relief of the majority in attendance at the FirstEnergy Stadium.
From the restart Belgium have a goal chalked off for offside as Lukaku has a powerful finish ruled out. The linesman was adamant but the decision looked tight, with the Chelsea striker fractionally beyond Goodson as he met De Bruyne's precise pass.
De Bruyne continues a bright start by reacting quickest to meet Gonzalez's headed clearance just outside the penalty area. The playmaker has time to pick his spot from a tight angle but opts for power, lashing a wild shot well wide of the near post under little pressure.
Belgium slow the tempo with a sustained spell of possession in their own half, with Vertonghen eventually winning a free kick after beating Zusi to the ball just beyond the halfway line. Before play can resume Vermaelen pulls up with a muscle problem, forcing a break in play.
SUBSTITUTION: With a huge qualifier against Serbian next week Belgium take no chances, swapping Vermaelen with Hannover youngster Sébastien Pocognoli.
Both sides track counters in the space of 60 seconds in a frantic spell which is rarely seen in a friendly of this nature. First Dempsey is ruled offside as he lines up a short on the turn just inside the penalty area, before De Bruyne has a penalty appeal for handball turned down at the other end.
SUBSTITUTION: Lukaku fires just wide with a fierce shot from 20 yards, but soon after Belgium are forced into a second early change as Dembele appears to be struggling. Wilmots chooses to change shape as Benteke goes on in his place to partner Lukaku in a 4-4-2 formation.
Miralls gets involved again and whips in a venomous cross towards the six-yard box. Lukaku looks destined to meet the ball but at full stretch somehow fails to make contact from close range. Quite how Belgium are still level as the first half draws to a close is anyone'a guess.
HALF-TIME USA 1-1 Belgium
A thoroughly entertaining first period in Cleveland ends level as Cameron's header cancels out an early strike from Mirallas to leave the USA and Belgium deadlocked at the interval. The visitors have been slick in the final third but slack defending allowed the States to level midway through the first half from a set piece.
Klinsmann's side have struggled to gain possession and territory throughout a difficult first 45 minutes and can count themselves lucky to be level. De Bruyne, Mirallas and Lukaku have all impressed for the visitors, who look capable of making their dominance count when play resumes.
Worrying for Wilmots the Belgium coach has been forced into two early changes to key players through injury. Vermaelen and Dembele both failed to complete the first half and must surely be considered doubtful for next week's crucial World Cup qualifier against Serbia.
The US must start the second half with more composure on the ball ahead of crucial trio of CONCACAF qualifiers. Dempsey has been rare bright spot for the hosts, while admittedly with limited service Altidore's woes for the national side have continues. The Twente striker has not scored for his country since 2011 and looks off the pace in attack, despite a strong season in Eredivise.
At half-time in Cleveland US officials have announced that Roma will be the visiting team for the MLS All-star game in July. The Giallorossi have Michael Bradley in their ranks, who is unavailable tonight after playing in the Coppa Italia final last Sunday. Expect to see the midfield linchpin back for Klinsmann's side in Sunday's friendly against Germany.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Belgium resume the second half, with the visitors sticking with the majority of their lineup that finished the first period. The US on the other hand have made a pair of changes, with Guzan and Johnson replacing Altidore and Howard at the break.
Lukaku has the first sight of goal since the restart, swapping passes with Benteke before driving wide with a low shot from 20 yards. The US are quick to break at the other end and win a corner kick as Beasley's cross is deflected behind by Alderweireld.
Belgium show composure to defend a set piece that was sorely lacking for Cameron's goal. A typically swift counter as the US struggling to retreat at the other end, but for once De Brunye's pass inside is below par and fails to pick out either Benteke or Lukaku in the final third.
A largely anonymous Davis attempts to pick out Dempsey with a long diagonal pass. The ball lacks power and fades as Kompany and Vertonghen retreat quickly to clear the danger with a simple backpass to Mignolet.
GOAL! USA 1-2 Belgium (Benteke)
An absolute howler from USA defender Gonzalez has gifted Belgium their second goal early in the second half. The centre-back had time to smash clear after intercepting inside his own penalty area, but instead aimed a sloppy pass straight to De Bruyne out wide. He wasted no time in accepting the invitation to cross for Benteke, who tapped home unmarked from six yards. All to easy for the visitors who deservedly retake the lead.
Klinsmann will be furious that both the goals his side have conceded tonight were extremely avoidable. The inexperience of Los Angeles Galaxy defender Gonzalez in his only his seventh cap was there for all to see there, choosing not to put the ball into touch and paying a heavy price.
SUBSTITUTION: The US make their third change as striker Terrence Boyd comes on for Davis. The Rapid Wein striker will get just under 30 minutes to have in impact in the final and third and stake his claim for a place ahead of Altidore and Johnson in attack.
GOAL! USA 1-3 Belgium (Fellaini)
Belgium take complete control as Fellaini heads home his sixth international goal from close range. Substitute Boyd failed to clear his lines and once again the hosts were quickly punished for a slack mistake. De Bruyne took control and sent a curling cross to the back post, which Fellaini glanced just inside the post under virtually no pressure from a US defender. 3-1 Belgium and its a lead the European side fully merit.
SUBSTITUTION: With victory seemingly secure Belgium swap the hugely impressive De Bruyne for Mertens. The winger almost has an instant impact as he narrowly fails to make contact with a cutback from Mirallas just inside the six-yard box.
GOAL! USA 1-4 Belgium (Benteke)
The US make a whole host of changes but are soon picking the ball out of their own net for a fourth time. Benteke has his second goal after meeting a pinpoint through ball from Defour just inside the penalty area. The Aston Villa striker took his time before slotting a deft chipped finish over club colleague Guzan and into the bottom corner. Clinical, superb finishing from the powerful striker, who has taken his tally of goals for Belgium to six with a brace this evening.
SUBSTITUTION: After a thorough workout Belgium withdraw Kompany 15 minutes from time, with Guillaume Gillet. The Manchester City defender was largely impressive but gets a rest with next week's home qualifier with Serbia in mind.
PENALTY TO USA! The home side have been awarded a rather fortunate penalty as Alderweireld is penalised for handball after blocking a cross from Johnson. Replays suggest that although the full-back made contact it looked unintentional from close range, but either way the hosts have a lifeline from the spot.
GOAL! USA 2-4 Belgium (Dempsey) An assured penalty from Dempsey makes the scoreline look more respectable for the USA as he sends Mignolet the wrong way with a powerful strike. Perhaps too late for a comeback but with important games coming up that goal may prove important in rebuilding confidence for Klinsmann's side.
SUBSTITUTION: More positive news for Klinsmann as Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden comes off the bench, making a long-awaited return from injury. The 27-year-old has endured a long rehabilitation from a broken leg but is finally back for the States as he looks for form and fitness in the closing stages.
Benteke drives into the penalty area in search of his first international hat-trick, but just as he is about to pull the trigger is brought down under a challenge from Beasley. The referee takes his time but eventually decides the sliding tackle was fair and decides not to award his second penalty kick of the night.
YELLOW CARD! Late on Jones receives a caution after needlessly bringing down Gillet with a strong sliding challenge from behind. The Schalke midfielder has battled strongly in midfield for the US all night but gets a caution for his efforts in the closing stages.
In stoppage time Dempsey goes down under a late challenge from Fellaini and looks far from happy with the Everton midfielder as he gets back to his feet. Both sides will be desperate to avoid injuries in the closing stages with crucial qualifiers on the horizon.
FULL-TIME USA 2-4 Belgium
A thoroughly entertaining friendly ends with Belgium recording an impressive 4-2 victory, underlining their credentials as an emerging force on the international stage. Christian Benteke scored a clinical brace, with Marouane Fellaini and Kevin Mirallas also on target for the visitors.
After a humbling defeat Klinsmann must rebuild US confidence quickly as they travel to Washington D.C. for a game with Germany this Sunday. Belgium will return home later this week ahead of next Friday's World Cup qualifier against struggling Serbia.
That just about does it for Sports Mole's live coverage from Cleveland today. Thanks for joining us and be sure to return this weekend as Brazil, England and Germany are among the sides in action as the international friendly fixtures come thick and fast.
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
