Christian Benteke scored two of Belgium’s three second-half goals in a decisive 4-2 win over the United States in an international friendly on Wednesday.
Boasting a squad including 10 English Premier League players, Belgium overpowered a US team who have some work to do on defence before they can think about making the field for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
After Kevin Mirallas opened the scoring for Belgium in the sixth minute, Geoff Cameron equalised in the 22nd to leave the scores level at 1-1 at half-time.
Aston Villa striker Benteke scored in the 56th and 71st minutes for Belgium — ranked 15th in the world — and Marouane Fellaini added another in the 64th. Clint Dempsey converted a penalty in the 80th minute for the United States.
With the score 1-1 in the second half, a turnover by American midfielder Brad Davis was compounded by defender Omar Gonzalez’s failure to clear the ball. Gonzalez could have easily booted it over the touch or end line, but instead left the ball for Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne, who centered it to Benteke for an easy tap-in.
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Germany brush aside ecuador
Boca Raton (USA), May 30: Lukas Podolski scored after only 10 seconds to help Germany to a 4-2 victory over Ecuador in a friendly on Wednesday.
Podolski and Lars Bender scored two goals each inside the opening 24 minutes as Germany quickly overwhelmed the Ecuador defense in the match at FAU Stadium.
Ecuador pulled a goal back through Luis Valencia in first-half stoppage time and Walter Ayovi scored his team’s second goal in the 83rd minute.
— AP
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Bulgaria script win over japan
Toyota (Japan), May 30: Defender Stanislav Manolev put Bulgaria on the path to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Asian champions Japan on Thursday, in a warm-up game for the World Cup qualifiers.
The visitors took the lead after just three minutes when Manolev hit a sizzling shot from a free kick from outside the area. Goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima managed to punch the ball but it still ended up in the net.
In the World Cup qualifiers, Bulgaria are currently second in European Group B, trailing Italy by three points.
— AFP