Bale barely appeared in front of 43,418 spectators until the equalizer, but once again became the savior of the nation. The 33-year-old, who also won the penalty himself, scored his 41st goal for Wales. The former Real Madrid legionnaire and current player for US champions Los Angeles FC had already scored twice in the World Cup play-off against Austria, paving the way for his team to Qatar.
In the second game of the group, Wales meets Iran on Friday (11.00). Nine hours later, the English meet the USA (8 p.m., both live on ORF1). The US team, which arrived with a young squad, relied on a few players from the English leagues, above all Chelsea star Christian Pulisic. The Welsh people relied on their tribe, ten of the eleven players in the starting XI were also there from the start in the win against Austria (2-1) in March. Only the ailing Joe Allen was missing.
Weah submits for USA
The US takes the lead. Timothy Weah pushes the ball past Wales goalie Wayne Hennessy and scores to make it 1-0 (36′).
Emotions before the game
For the first time since 1958, the Welsh anthem was played at a World Cup. Accordingly, euphoric and full of anticipation, fans, supervisors and players sang their “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” (Land of my fathers). Before that, the Americans had performed their “The Star-Spangled Banner” with a lot of pathos, which matched the mood in Education City Stadium at kick-off. As an added motivation, the US team was sent into the game with congratulations from President Joe Biden.
Mr. President is calling
US President Joe Biden personally called the US national team. He wished Gregg Berhalter’s side the best of luck for their first World Cup game against Wales while encouraging them.
The Americans took their President’s call to do their best for their country literally, as they stood very high and determined the initial phase right away. Wales were lucky not to fall behind early. Weah, the son of ex-1995 World Soccer Player and current President of Liberia, George Weah, brought the ball sharply into the middle after receiving the ball perfectly. Joe Rodon beheaded his own goalie Wayne Hennessey from close range. Shortly thereafter, Josh Sargent hit the outside bar with his head (10′).
Double chance for the USA
Welshman Joe Rodon almost puts the ball into his own goal. Shortly after, Josh Sargent gets a good header chance and hits the outside bar.
US rewards itself with leadership
Wales took a deep breath, but the Americans didn’t let their opponent take a deep breath. The Welshmen tightened the spaces accordingly and didn’t allow any further chances until the 30th minute. Bale and colleagues were not dangerous at all. The superstar didn’t come into its own at all, the offensive appearance of the British was too uninspired and imprecise.
The USA, who have the second-youngest roster of all 32 World Cup teams, kept pushing and were rewarded for their refreshing display in the 36th minute. Christian Pulisic played a perfect hole pass to Weah. The 22-year-old ran towards goal and did his father credit by scoring in the style of a goal-getter for a deserved lead. With the 1-0 it went into the dressing room, where Wales coach Rob Page had something to discuss with his team.
“Red Dragons” are getting more snappy
In the second half, Wales played for the goal their fans were behind. The “Red Dragons” played more bitingly and weren’t quite so lame on their wings, but initially they couldn’t find a way to seriously trouble the US team. The Americans acted disciplined in the 4-3-3 system and didn’t give up a chance to equalize. The Welsh team had the best opportunity when Ben Davies headed the ball over the bar (64′) by US goalie Matt Turner. After the corner, Kieffer Moore headed just over it.
After the Welshman’s first attempts at goal, US coach Gregg Berhalter made several changes in his team and brought in ex-Salzburg player Brenden Aaronson (66th), who now plays for Leeds United. The four fresh players did the US boys good, as they were able to balance the game again. Overall, however, they did too little and limited themselves too much to the defensive.
Superstar Bale makes it personal
The Welsh attacks became more violent. And so was Walker Zimmerman’s attack on Bale in the penalty area in the 80th minute. Referee Abdulrahman al-Jassim immediately pointed to the penalty spot, and there was no message from VAR either. The penalty became a matter for the captain himself. Bale settled the ball and hammered it into the right corner with superstar confidence (82′). US goalie Turner dived into the right corner, but had no chance against the shot.
In the tradition of the first games, there were nine minutes of stoppage time in this game. The Americans still looked a little shocked by the equaliser, but the Welshmen’s legs cramped after the effort in the second half. No team was able to register the “lucky punch”, so the duel between the contenders for second place in the group ended in a draw.
Comments on the game:
Gregg Berhalter (USA coach): “I think we lost a bit of strength. But at the same time Wales have increased the pressure. And we had some good chances on the counterattack. But I think the guys did well. It was a tough fight, we gave everything. Wales played very directly in the second half. They are a physically large team, which made it difficult.”
Rob Page (Wales coach): “We showed character by a goal down against a good team like the USA. Kudos to the boys for coming back like this and getting that one point. When there were penalties, it was 100% clear who should take them. Has he ever let us down? It’s always about Bale, and rightly so. It was worth waiting 64 years for. Seeing the Rote Wand cheering was amazing.”
Gareth Bale (Wales goalscorer): “It was a great team effort, especially in the second half when we showed courage and determination to get back into the game. We can be proud of that. We made a few tactical changes. We just had to try a different way of playing. That was a fantastic decision by the coach. Praise to the boys for giving everything again and showing our character. In the end, it’s a good point to build on.”
FIFA World Cup 2022, Group B, first matchday
Montag:
USA – Wales 1:1 (1:0)
Al-Rajjan, Education City Stadium, 43,418 Zuschauer, SR Al-Jassim (QAT)
Torfolge:
1:0 Weah (36.)
1:1 Bale (82./Elfmeter)
USA: Turner – Dest (74./Yedlin), Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson – McKennie (66./Aaronson), Adams, Musah (74./Acosta) – Weah (88./Morris), Sargent (74./Wright), Pulisic
Wales: Hennessey – Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies – Roberts, Ramsey, Ampadu (95./Morrell), Wilson (93./Thomas), N. Williams (79./Johnson) – Bale, James (46./Moore)
Yellow cards: Dest, McKennie, Ream, Acosta and Bale, Mepham
The best: Pulisic, Adams and Ampadu, Bale
