Belgium blows out United States 5-2 in World Cup warmup that exposes American defenders

ATLANTA (AP) — Belgium blew out the United States 5-2 on Saturday in a World Cup warmup that exposed the Americans’ defensive difficulties, rallying from a late first-half deficit on two goals by Dodi Lukébakio and one each from Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere.

Weston McKennie put the U.S. ahead in the 39th minute with his 12th international goal, his first in three years, but Debast and Onana began Belgium's rally with their first international goals on a frustrating afternoon for Matt Turner, the former No. 1 American goalkeeper who made his first appearance since last June.

Debast scored in the 45th, Onana put the Red Devils ahead in the 53rd and De Ketelaere converted a penalty kick in the 59th after a hand ball by U.S. captain Tim Ream.

Lukébakio entered in the 62nd minute and beat Turner from long range in the 68th and 82nd minutes to build a 5-1 lead before a disappointed largely pro-American crowd of 66,867 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, site of a World Cup semifinal in July.

Patrick Agyemang scored for the U.S. in the 87th after Ricardo Pepi took advantage of defensive misplay.

The U.S. lost a home game by three goals in which it scored the opening goal for the first time since an 8-1 defeat to England in 1959, according to Opta.

Belgium extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games and has won six straight against the U.S. since losing to the Americans at the initial World Cup in 1930.

The U.S. had entered with a five-game unbeaten streak that created optimism but was missing several injured regulars.

McKennie put the Americans ahead when he took advantage of Johnny Cardoso’s pick to cut in front of Nicolas Raskin and volley Antonee Robinson’s corner kick past Senne Lammens.

American players debuted jerseys with red and white stripes that resemble a waving flag.

With the roof closed in an air-conditioned stadium, fans booed the water breaks in the middle of each half — which will take place at each World Cup match.

Belgium was missing striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielders Leandro Trossard and Hans Vanaken and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois because of injuries and fitness issues. The Red Devils play Mexico in Chicago on Tuesday.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens makes a save against the United States during an international friendly soccer match, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

United States' Weston McKennie (8) scores past Belgium' goalkeeper Senne Lammens during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

United States' Weston McKennie (8) and Belgium's Thomas Meunier battle for a head ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere (17) dribbles ahead of United States' Malik Tillman (17) during an international friendly soccer match, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Belgium's Jeremy Doku moves against the United States' Timothy Weah (21) during an international friendly soccer match, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Stephon Castle had a triple-double with 22 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds as the hot-shooting San Antonio Spurs steamrolled the Milwaukee Bucks 127-95 on Saturday for their eighth consecutive victory.

Castle was one of seven players to score in double figures for the Spurs, who have won 13 of their last 14 to guarantee that they'll be seeded no lower than second in the Western Conference playoffs. San Antonio is two games behind the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder in the West standings.

Victor Wembanyama added 23 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. San Antonio never trailed and shot 55.1% (49 of 89).

Milwaukee's loss eliminated the Bucks from playoff contention, snapping their streak of nine consecutive postseason appearances. The Bucks have lost nine of their last 11 games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out a sixth straight game for Milwaukee with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The Bucks also were missing Kevin Porter Jr. (right knee), Bobby Portis (left wrist sprain), Kyle Kuzma (Achilles tendinopathy), Gary Harris (personal reasons) and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (left calf).

Gary Trent Jr. scored 18 points to lead the Bucks.

San Antonio's Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell scored 16 points each. Dylan Harper added 14, De'Aaron Fox 12 and Julian Champagnie 11.

The Spurs ended a three-game trip. They return home to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday before going back on the road for their next three games.

San Antonio led by as many as 28 during a dominant first-half performance that featured a highlight-worthy play with Castle dunking off a behind-the-back pass from Wembanyama. The Spurs led 67-45 at the break.

Milwaukee outscored San Antonio 13-4 over the first three minutes of the third quarter to cut the Spurs’ lead to 13, but that’s as close as the Bucks would get. San Antonio's lead eventually stretched to 38.

Spurs: Host the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Bucks: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts as he talks with an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks' Ousmane Dieng (21) controls the ball against San Antonio Spurs' Luke Kornet during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Milwaukee Bucks' Ryan Rollins, left, shoots against San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)