• by Wayne Friedman , Yesterday

Rising viewership for the FIFA World Cup claimed more records, with 42 million average viewers for the U.S. men's team's match with Belgium -- the largest ever for any soccer telecast in U.S. history.

This data came from Nielsen preliminary data and Adobe Analytics on Fox TV platforms, Telemundo and Peacock.

Fox Television Network, FS1, and digital services posted 30 million average viewers -- the largest number ever for any English-language soccer telecast in U.S. history.

Another 12.0 million viewers came from Telemundo/Peacock, according to Spanish-language network Telemundo, for a total of 42 million viewers.

Peacock pulled in 6.7 million average streaming viewers, with Telemundo at 4.8 million for its linear TV airing.

It was the largest Spanish-language U.S. men’s team soccer match in history.

For the Fox airing, viewership during the match peaked at 36.9 million between 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Final numbers could go higher -- 8% to 10%, according to analysts.

The lopsided, not-so-competitive match had a final score of 4-1 with Belgium advancing to the quarterfinals.

Earlier in the day, measurement service AdImpact estimated the U.S.-Belgium match scored an average 34.2 million viewers for the English-language version on Fox Television Network and other platforms. Telemundo/Peacock had 13.7 million viewers for the Spanish-language viewers.

Overall the broadcast, per AdImpact, totaled 47.9 million viewers.

Before the match, analysts were estimating that viewership would be between 40 million and 50 million viewers, which would be on par with a late-round NFL playoff game.