Mexico 1-1 Belgium: Lukebakio stunner pegs back World Cup co-hosts

Wait 5 sec.

ShareMexico and Belgium could not be split at Soldier Field, with Dodi Lukebakio's stunning equaliser the standout moment in a low-key affair.Dodi Lukebakio's 46th-minute leveller ensured Belgium pegged back World Cup co-hosts Mexico at Soldier Field, with the spoils shared in a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. Jorge Sanchez had given Mexico the lead in the 19th minute with an instinctive finish past Matz Sels, but Lukebakio equalised 43 seconds after the restart for Rudi Garcia's side. Mexico started strongly as Julian Quinones forced Sels into an early save before Jesus Gallardo was unable to test the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper in the fifth minute.However, Sels was picking the ball out of the back of the net soon after when Brian Gutierrez's corner dropped kindly for Sanchez at the back post to scuff home from close range.Gutierrez then came close to getting himself on the scoresheet, with Sels making a sprawling stop, but Belgium regrouped after the break and quickly hauled themselves level. Youri Tielemans' pass out to the right was collected by Lukebakio, who took a touch before curling a wonderful, bending shot past Raul Rangel and into the top-left corner. Both sides struggled in their search for a winner, with Jeremy Doku's late attempt comfortably gathered to cap a tepid second half that saw just two shots on target.Data Debrief: Mexico and Belgium endure bore drawIn what was Mexico and Belgium's first meeting since an international friendly in 2017, which ended in a 3-3 draw, the two nations could not be split again here. In fact, this fixture ended in a stalemate for the third consecutive match, having also drawn at the 1998 World Cup (2-2). And there was little to get fans out of their seats here. Mexico registered an expected goals (xG) of 0.9 from their 10 shots, only three of which were on target, compared to Belgium's measly 0.3 from their five attempts. The Red Devils will be hoping to improve before the World Cup begins with international friendlies against Croatia and Tunisia in June before their opening match of the tournament against Egypt on June 15. Mexico and Belgium could not be split at Soldier Field, with Dodi Lukebakio's stunning equaliser the standout moment in a low-key affair.Dodi Lukebakio's 46th-minute leveller ensured Belgium pegged back World Cup co-hosts Mexico at Soldier Field, with the spoils shared in a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. Jorge Sanchez had given Mexico the lead in the 19th minute with an instinctive finish past Matz Sels, but Lukebakio equalised 43 seconds after the restart for Rudi Garcia's side. Mexico started strongly as Julian Quinones forced Sels into an early save before Jesus Gallardo was unable to test the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper in the fifth minute.However, Sels was picking the ball out of the back of the net soon after when Brian Gutierrez's corner dropped kindly for Sanchez at the back post to scuff home from close range.Gutierrez then came close to getting himself on the scoresheet, with Sels making a sprawling stop, but Belgium regrouped after the break and quickly hauled themselves level. Youri Tielemans' pass out to the right was collected by Lukebakio, who took a touch before curling a wonderful, bending shot past Raul Rangel and into the top-left corner. Both sides struggled in their search for a winner, with Jeremy Doku's late attempt comfortably gathered to cap a tepid second half that saw just two shots on target.Data Debrief: Mexico and Belgium endure bore drawIn what was Mexico and Belgium's first meeting since an international friendly in 2017, which ended in a 3-3 draw, the two nations could not be split again here. In fact, this fixture ended in a stalemate for the third consecutive match, having also drawn at the 1998 World Cup (2-2). And there was little to get fans out of their seats here. Mexico registered an expected goals (xG) of 0.9 from their 10 shots, only three of which were on target, compared to Belgium's measly 0.3 from their five attempts. The Red Devils will be hoping to improve before the World Cup begins with international friendlies against Croatia and Tunisia in June before their opening match of the tournament against Egypt on June 15.