The US men’s national team opened their 11th World Cup campaign with a 1-1 tie against Wales in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Tim Weah’s first-half goal put the USMNT up until Gareth Bale converted a penalty late in the game.
It was a hectic encounter with several fouls and six yellow cards. The United States received four yellow cards, the highest in a World Cup match since drawing five against Germany in 2002.
The game marked a return for the USMNT to soccer’s biggest stage after missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia. For Wales, their absence was even longer, having not appeared since the 1958 edition.
Did the USA let one slip away against Wales?
Credit to Wales for the comeback, but should the United States feel disappointed about not getting win? As ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle writes:
“The 1-1 draw is a result that will stick in the U.S. team’s craw. It was minutes away from claiming all three points, and putting it in a position in which it could control its own destiny in Group B. With England rocking Iran 6-2, the battle for second place now remains wide open, with a difficult game against the Three Lions up next. While the result is by no means fatal, it’s not what the U.S. was hoping for given how long it was ahead in this match.”
Bale: ‘Great performance’ from Wales
After the match, Gareth Bale hailed his side for rallying from a goal behind get a draw.
“It’s an amazing feeling to get off the mark personally, but we would much rather have had the three points,” Bale said.
“It was a great team performance, especially in the second half when we showed that real grit and determination to get back into the game.
“We are proud of that. We have things to build on and things to work on.”
FINAL: 1-1 draw
Full time! A frenzied finish to a game that was a tale of two halves that sees the USA and Wales draw 1-1.
The USA looked to have things in control after going into break with a one-goal lead thanks to Tim Weah. But Wales came out on all cylinders and deservedly earned a goal thanks to a penalty strike by Gareth Bale.
The Group B standings are now: England with three points, Wales and the US with one apiece, and Iran with zero.
Next up for the USA will be that big-time clash against England on Black Friday, while Wales take on Iran in the other group game.
