【MATCH DAY】United States 1-1

Gareth Bale's late penalty earned Wales a 1-1 draw against the USA in their World Cup 2022 opener in Qatar.

The Welsh looked destined for defeat in their first appearance in the tournament for 64 years after Timothy Weah opened the scoring in the first half. But their talisman Bale won and scored the spot-kick to earn them a precious point in Group B.

It was the USA who dominated the early stages and could have taken the lead on nine minutes as Joe Rodon's inadvertent header towards his own goal was kept out by Wayne Hennessey, before Josh Sargent nodded against the post shortly after. The breakthrough came on 36 minutes as Christian Pulisic found space to slip a pass in behind for Weah, who smartly jabbed the ball past Hennessey and into the bottom corner.

Wales had been overwhelmed in the first half and in response manager Rob Page brought on Kieffer Moore for the ineffective Dan James at the break. The Bournemouth striker should have levelled for Wales on 65 minutes, as he rose at the near post from a corner, but somehow headed over with the net at his mercy. With eight minutes to go they did find the equaliser, however. Bale got himself in front of Walker Zimmerman in the box to be tripped and win a penalty, before stepping up himself to thunder the ball past Matt Turner. A 41st goal for his country, a first for Wales in the World Cup for 64 years. It was always going to be him to make the difference.

Big moments in the game

9 mins: Wayne Hennessey makes a reaction save to keep out his own team-mate Joe Rodon, before Josh Sargent then hits the post with a header.

36 mins: Christian Pulisic slips a perfectly-weighted pass into the path of Timothy Weah, who jabbed the ball past Hennessey for the opener for the USA.

65 mins: Glorious opportunity for Kieffer Moore from a corner that the substitute heads just over the bar.

82 mins: Gareth Bale scores from the penalty spot after being tripped by Walker Zimmerman in the box.

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