At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, both teams’ Group B opener against the United States ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to a penalty kick by Gareth Bale in the 82nd minute.
Bale was fouled by American defender Walker Zimmerman, who was clearly trying to challenge him with the ball, when he received a pass inside the box and shielded himself with his body.
His conversion from the penalty spot, despite diving U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner getting a palm to the shot, marked his 41st career goal for the Wales national team, in his nation’s first World Cup match since 1958.
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Tim Weah scored nine minutes before halftime for the United States, who were dominant in the opening 45 minutes but saw Wales climb back into it in the second half.
Antonee Robinson of the U.S. in action with Wales’ Ethan Ampadu. (REUTERS/John Sibley)
Christian Pulisic set up the Americans’ first World Cup goal since they reached the tournament in 2014, after he was one of the players on the field when the Americans failed in their bid to qualify for 2018.
The U.S. (0-0-1, 1 point) will face England in their second of three group games on Friday, while Wales (0-1-1, 1 point) will face Iran.
The U.S. had mostly half chances in the opening half-hour but then took the lead in the 36th on one of the best early goals of the tournament.
Pulisic did a lot of the heavy lifting, getting on the ball in midfield and then playing a give and go with Josh Sargent to move forward.
Wales players and fans celebrate after the match. (REUTERS/Carl Recine)
Then he slipped a throughball in to Weah, who ran onto it and slid a low finish past Wayne Hennessee to give the Americans the lead.
After the intermission, Wales regained control of the match and created two potentially threatening header opportunities.
Ben Davies’s opening shot was stopped by Turner in open play. Turner and the American defense were beaten when substitute Kieffer Moore’s effort from the ensuing corner sailed over the crossbar.
After that, Wales didn’t have many clear-cut opportunities until Zimmerman collided with Bale, setting up a share of the points as the Americans failed to preserve just their third clean sheet at a World Cup since 1950.
