US-Portugal match attracts record viewers

A record number of Americans watched the FIFA World Cup Group G match between the United States and Portugal, cable sports network ESPN said.

The match, which ended 2-2 Sunday, drew 18.2 million viewers to become "the most-viewed soccer match in the United States ever" and the biggest event on ESPN that wasn't professional or college American football, reports Xinhua.

The previous record was held by the 1999 Women's World Cup final between the United States and China that attracted nearly 18 million Americans.