Belgium vs. United States scored highest TV ratings ever for a World Cup match on ESPN

According to Nielsen, the Round of 16 match between Belgium and the United States was the highest rated World Cup match ever shown on ESPN. 

Only two World Cup matches have been watched by more Americans — the 1994 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy, and the 1994 Round of 16 match between Brazil and the United States — with both games airing on broadcast network ABC.

Tuesday's loss to Belgium scored a 9.6 overnight rating, which is not only higher than any other match from this year's tournament, it's also better than the Round of 16 loss to Ghana four years ago, which was broadcast on ABC, and available in far more homes than ESPN.

According to ESPN, the network's streaming platform, WatchESPN, reached its highest level at 1.5 million viewers.