Bale beats Wales with a penalty in the last round near the United States

USA and Wales started the World Cup with a draw. At the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, the United States led 1-0 for a long time, but Gareth Bale, who plays in the American league, scored the equalizer eight minutes from the end with a penalty kick.

In the United States, former Ajax player Sergiño Dest, among others, was in the first team. He saw his side go close to taking the lead in the ninth minute through a fortuitous header from Wales defender Joe Rodon towards his own goal. Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey happened to be in the right place and got the ball hard on his chest.

Moments later, the Welsh fans were shocked again when American striker Josh Sargent showed that he had a hard head. Hennessey didn’t have to save this time, however, as the ball hit the post.

The United States did well in the game in the first half, which was crowned by Timothy Weah in the 36th minute. In Christian Pulisic’s pass, the son of the president of Liberia and former star player George Weah won the goal 1-0.

Wales produced an average first half. American goalkeeper Matt Turner, who has been under contract with Arsenal since last summer, was not tested in the first 45 minutes.

The team of national coach Rob Page bit more after the break and looked for striker Bale. The Americans had to defend themselves more and in the 64th minute Ben Davies almost equalized. Goalkeeper Turner, however, managed to get his hand behind the ball.

Kieffer Moore was able to head towards goal from the ensuing corner kick. Turner made a mistake this time, but substitute Moore’s effort flew over the bar. The United States, which has only one player in the selection with World Cup experience and substitute DeAndre Yedlin, did not create many more chances.

The USA looked to be improving defensively, but with eight minutes of regulation time remaining the game continued to deteriorate. Referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim pointed firmly to the area after a foul by Walker Zimmerman. Bale got behind the ball and shot flawlessly: 1-1. Turner had no chance.

For Wales it was the first World Cup match after a 64-year absence. In 1958, the country made its first and – until this year – last appearance at the international finals. Wales were knocked out by Brazil in the quarter-finals. Goal scorer: 17-year-old Pelé at the time.

In the following years, Wales again failed to qualify, until the World Cup qualifying series in Qatar. This made Wales the longest-serving country to have participated in two World Cups. Egypt and Norway were both absent for 56 years.

The most recent World Cup in which the United States participated was the 2014 edition. Then the second round was the last stop for the Americans. The Belgians were very powerful at that time.