Soccer-Mexico draw 1-1 with Belgium in Chicago ahead of World Cup


Mar 31, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Mexico defender Jorge Sanchez (2) and Belgium forward Mika Godts (26) battle for control of the ball during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

March 31 (Reuters) - Mexico ⁠and Belgium played out a 1-1 ⁠draw in a friendly at Soldier Field ‌on Tuesday, capping off their final warm-up matches before finalising their 26-man World Cup squads.

Mexico dominated possession ​in the first half and ⁠took the lead ⁠in the 19th minute when Jorge Sanchez scored ⁠at a ‌corner, slotting the ball home while falling backwards.

Belgium responded immediately after ⁠the break when Dodi Lukebakio seized ​on a ‌gap in the Mexican defence to unleash ⁠a powerful ​strike from distance to equalize in the 46th minute.

Both teams made a host of substitutions ⁠in the second half to ​give players an opportunity to stake their claim for a place in the squad.

Belgium, who ⁠thrashed the United States 5-2 in their previous outing, next play Croatia on June 2 while Mexico face Ghana in a friendly ​on May 22.

The World ⁠Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 ​and is being co-hosted ‌by Mexico, the U.S. and ​Canada.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Long Beach, California; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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