USA 1 - 1 Wales summary: Bale penalty, scores, stats and game recap | Qatar World Cup 2022
USA 1-1 Wales: as it happened
Ben Davies: "We won't underestimate Iran"
Wales defender Ben Davies spoke after his side's Group B draw with the USA.
"We have to be realistically happy with a point after the way we started that game.
"We showed a lot of guts and character to come back into it the way we did.
"It wasn't easy out there, especially the way we started, but it shows the determination of the team that we got back into it.
"We all knew it wasn't us, it wasn't what we showed to get to the World Cup and we knew we deserved to be behind.
"We showed a different side to ourselves and in the end we are probably disappointed with couldn't capitalise a little bit more.
"We had faith in Gareth [Bale], of course, he's our penalty taker and we wouldn't have it any other way.
"England played well today, so we won't underestimate Iran, we know it will be a tough game for sure."
Group B standings
1 | England - 3 points
2 | USA - 1
3 | Wales - 1
4 | Iran - 0
Berhalter: "We kept going until the end, we left everything out there"
"I think we lost a little bit of power [in the second half], but in the same sense Wales stepped up the pressure and we had some good counter-attacking opportunities but I thought the guys dealt with it well. We kept going until the end, we left everything out there."
Bale: "Our second-half performance was fantastic"
"Not a good first half – they played really well and we were poor. But it was a great talk from the gaffer at half-time, we changed a few things – nothing I wanna share too much – and came out battling.
"We looked like we were gonna win the game from the second half. It’s a great point, we showed character… and we go again.
"Yeah, I was always gonna take the penalty. No doubts in my head. I feel like I have to step up, and I’m happy to do so. It’s incredible to have a World Cup goal but I’d rather have the three points. Our second-half performance was fantastic so we’ll take a lot of confidence. I felt a little bit tired towards the end – I can’t believe there were nine minutes added on – but we have to dig deep for our country. We always do."
Page: "It’s all about Bale-o, rightly so. He’s never let us down."
"It’s important not to lose the first game. It was similar to the Switzerland game in the Euros – we showed character and determination to come back and get a point. [On the half-time change] It was nothing against Daniel James, it just suited the game to have Kieffer [Moore] on. We couldn’t play through their press so we tried to play over it.
"It’s all about Bale-o, rightly so. He’s never let us down. We had some players who cramped up in the last few minutes so the medical team have got some work to do to get us ready for Friday. To see the Red Wall, it’s been incredible."
Bale keeps Wales alive
It had to be Bale and there was no stopping his penalty, which gives Wales confidence going into their clash with Iran in four days.
It's a draw in Doha
Wales earn a point in their first World Cup match in 64 years.
The USMNT will be disappointed they couldn't extend their lead in the first half and they struggled in the second half.
USA 1-1 Wales
Robert Page's changes pay off and Wales have earned themselves a point. They could even have won it as the USA couldn't repeat their first-half performance. It's probably a fair result.
Berhalter's side couldn't maintain their high pressing game as Wales grew into it. Having Moore up front gave Wales a focal point. The draw gives both sides a chance going into matchday 2 in Group B.
FT: USA 1-1 Wales
It's finished 1-1 in Doha!
Acosta gets a yellow for a foul on Bale, as he goes to shoot over Turner, who had come off his line.
Yedlin crosses... Wales can clear.
We're into the last 60 seconds...
The USA clear another ball into Moore.
We have three minutes left. It's 1-1
Ream clears it forward and Hennessey let's it run out for a goalkick.
Wales change
OFF Ampadu
ON Morrell
Page is telling Ampadu to go down. Morrell is about to come on for Ampadu.
Wales change
OFF Wilson
ON Thomas
Ampadu is down for Wales after a 50-50 challenge with Zimmerman.
There will be NINE minutes added on!
There is plenty of time for either side to find a winner.
Even put the kettle on...
Johnson!
He's forced into a tight angle and hits it straight at Turner.
1-1
Weah comes off
Morris replaces Weah.
It will be a night he'll never forget after his super first-half strike.
Yedlin whips it in from the right.
Mepham clears it with his head. 1-1
The USA are hanging on with just over five minutes remaining. Wales have the momentum and that is why you can't take Bale off. He hasn't played much for LAFC but you can never write him off. He was made for big games.
Wales have waited 64 YEARS for this moment and it was always going to be Gareth Bale. It's a superb penalty.
Can Wales win it?
BALE SCORES
It's 1-1
PENALTY!
Bale has been fouled!
This is huge!
Wales change
Neco Williams can't believe he is being taken off. He is being one of Wales' bright sparks in this second half.
OFF Williams
ON Johnson
Yunus Musah comes off as part of that triple change.
It was a special night for him as he became the USMNT’s youngest player at a World Cup. He's already a top player.
Triple change for USA
It's still going to be a 4-3-3, but Berhalter has made a triple change.
Pulisic, who is back on his feet, clips it into the box. It's sent into a good area but there is no-one there to get on the end of it.
Turner tips over
Matt Turner has kept his country in this one.
Pulisic is down for the USA. The USA are going to make a triple change.
Pulisic takes the corner from the right. It's the USA's fourth of the game and it's headed out by Moore, who has been involved at both ends.
USA change
MOORE!
It's just over the bar! Moore can't keep his header down.
Wilson sends in an excellent corner but the big striker sends it over the bar.
Turner does extremely well to tip Davies' header over the bar.
Musah makes a challenge on Roberts. Wales have a free on the right.
Wilson sends in the inswinger from the right. It falls to Davies and it's a super save by Turner!
Is it a penalty?
Not quite... Roberts gets a touch of the ball right on the 18-yard line. Pulisic goes flying.
The Wales fans are getting behind their team now. They're starting to believe as Wales keep the pressure up. Roberts crosses from the right but it goes out of play. It's definitely more encouraging but the USA lead as we approach the hour-mark.
Ream has a battle on his hands with Moore up front for Wales. Page's change is working but Wales need to equalise or they will be under huge pressure going into their second game against Iran.
Wales have grown into this. Williams, in a more advanced position, goes down the left and crosses low. It's eventually cleared by Ream. The USA have struggled to get control of it, as Wales enjoy their first decent spell.
Wales are looking sharper, finding pockets of space. Williams makes a run down the left. McKennie does well to stop him and clears it. 1-0
Weah goal
He may not sleep tonight!
It's a yellow for Ream for a foul on Bale, who also has a yellow.
Wales have a corner on the right. They certainly have more of an aeriel threat with Moore up front. The referee gives the US a free for a foul on Turner, but it didn't really look like it.
Adams knocks Ampadu over. Wales have a free. It's 1-0 to the USA if you're only joining us now.
Page makes change
Wales have made a half-time change.
Moore comes on for James, two players with very different styles.
Wales get us underway for the second half.
Wales needs Bale?
Wales haven't showed up. Can Bale come up with some second half magic to get his country back into this one?
Grant Wahl's experience in Qatar
Wahl wrote: "When I arrived at the stadium media entrance to cover the United States-Wales World Cup game today wearing a rainbow soccer ball t-shirt supporting the LGBTQ community, the security guards refused to let me in, detained me for 25 minutes and angrily demanded that I remove my t-shirt."
Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar, however, FIFA has said that the rainbow flag would be welcomed at the World Cup.
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Today’s clash at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is being overseen by local referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim.
The Qatari has been a full FIFA match official since 2013 and was a VAR assistant at the 2018 Russia World Cup. Al-Jassim’s highest profile game came in 2019 when he oversaw the Club World Cup final in Doha between Flamengo and Liverpool.
Weah puts USA ahead
Tim Weah, son of George, has been the difference between the sides. A win for the USA tonight will put serious pressure on Wales.
HT: USA 1-0 Wales
Pulisic set Weah up to score a fine goal and the USA lead at the break. Berhalter's men have been the better side and fully deserve to be ahead.
That sums it up for Wales in this first half. Williams opens up onto his right foot on the left flank and drills it out of play.
Mepham is booked for pulling Pulisic down.
The USA have been strong in possession with their midfield three, dominating the ball in the opening 45 minutes.
There will be four minutes added on.
Wilson swings in the corner from the right but it's out for a goalkick as Mepham fails to connect. Nothing has gone right for Wales.
James goes down the left but is forced back and Wales are now in their own half again. Page has his work cut out at half-time.
Wales go behind
That's an honest assessment from the admin.
Gareth Bale gets a yellow and that is very unlucky as he wins the ball. Robert Page is furious.
USA 1-0 Wales
Berhalter's men are ahead thanks to a Tim Weah goal.
Weah opens the scoring
That goal has been coming. The USA have been on top.
The USA are ahead and they deserve it.
USA 1-0 Wales
GOAL! USA 1-0 Wales
USA take the lead!
WEAH!
It's a fine finish. Pulisic goes on a mazy run and then plays a sublime pass through to the forward, who scores his fourth goal for his country.
Adams plays it through to Weah but there is too much on it.
Mepham barges through Pulisic. It's a clear free for the US. Pulisic then sends in a low corner. Wales clear the danger. Mepham can count himself lucky. No yellow card.
Robert Page is having a word with Harry Wilson. He was limping earlier but may be able to play on.
Dest drives forward on the right again but Wilson tracks the run and does well to prevent another effort from the Barcelona man.
Dest drives an effort over the bar from 25 yards. Weah was wide open but the Milan defender saw his name in lights.
'USA! USA! USA!' the chant goes. Their team has the majority of the possession (USA 68-32 Wales). Berhalter will be happy with the opening 25 minutes. 0-0
Adams jumps into a challenge. It could have been a third booking for the US but he gets away with this one. Pulisic comes over to tell the referee it doesn't have to be a card every time!
Wales have really struggled to get a hold of the ball. 0-0
There are three Wales playing warming up already so Wilson may have to come off.
Harry Wilson is limping for Wales. That could be an issue as this one progresses.
Wales turn up for first time in 64 years
Wales are here!
In case you missed it, England beat Iran 6-2 in today's earlier game in Group B.
Ampadu, playing his football in Italy with Spezia these days, shoots from distance and it flies over the bar. 0-0
Going back to that Sargent chance. It was a fantastic cross from Weah, and Sargent's header hit the outside the post. The USA continue to threaten and really should be in front.
It's another silly US foul. McKennie fouls Williams needlessly near the touchline and the US have two yellows in two minutes.
Dest picks up the first yellow of the game for a foul on Williams. He will need to be careful for another 80+ minutes now.
USA chance!
Sargent hits the outside of the post and the US should be ahead!
Mepham deals with Pulisic on the left. Wales have managed the threat well and it remains 0-0. Tim Weah, son of George, is in the USA's attack.
USA vs Wales
It's been an impressive opening from Berhalter's men.
Yunus Musah is the first teenager to start a match for the USA in a World Cup. He is certainly one to watch. He's still only 19 and plays his club football with Valencia.
It's been all USA so far, winning the second balls and causing Wales problems.
The US have an aggressive style and we can expect a lot of high pressing.
Good start from the USA
Roberts stops Pulisic near the corner flag and it's a corner for Berhalter's side.
Mepham clears for Wales.
Pulisic's free is sent in low and Wales can clear. It's a poor delivery.
Rodon catches Pulisic early on and the USA have a free.
The USA get us underway.
Wales are back, 64 years later!
And we're underway!
It's USA vs Wales
The USA have the second youngest squad in the competition. Can they pick up an early win in Group B?
The pitch is looking great and we're almost underway!
And now for the Welsh national anthem. What a moment for Wales!
The two national anthems are about to begin.
We'll start with the USA.
This could be a sweet one for the Wales fans. It's their first World Cup match since 1958!
The players are in the tunnel. Gareth Bale takes a sip of water. Christian Pulisic looks more relaxed. The stadium looks about 75% full at the moment.
Wales won’t wear One Love armbands
Joint statement on armbands from seven World Cup countries:
"We cannot put our players in the situation where they might be booked or even forced to leave the field of play."
Kickoff approaches
Kickoff is just 15 minutes away!
AS prediction: 1-1
I think it'll be a score draw, and I'm definitely not expecting another eight goals in Group B.
USA vs Wales
It's only the first game for both sides but it's a crucial one in Group B.
England beat Iran 6-2 earlier today and a win for the USA or Wales will give them an early headstart.
USMNT warm-up
The USMNT players warm up ahead of kickoff.
Captain Adams
Tyler Adams is leading his country out at a World Cup and discussed wearing the armband ahead of their opener against Wales.
"It's a huge honor for me, obviously, to be named captain of this team," he said. "A very young team, but a lot of credit to my teammates because anyone throughout our leadership council can wear that armband and represent us with pride and represent us in the right way."
Wales XI
Wales: Hennessy; Davies, Mepham, Rodon; Williams, Wilson, Ramsey, Ampadu, Roberts; Bale, James.
Team reminders: USMNT
USMNT: Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Adams, Robinson; Musah, McKennie, Pulisic, Ream; Weah, Sargent.
Yunus Musah the first teenager to start a World Cup match for USMNT
It's a special occasion for Yunus Musah, who becomes the first teenager to start a World Cup match for the USMNT. He's only 19.
USMNT pre-match
The USA players are out for their pre-match stroll at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Check out Wales’s full squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
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There is a lot of excitement about 19-year-old Yunus Musah heading into the World Cup. With eligibility for England, Ghana, Italy and the United States, he chose to represent the USA in international competition in March 2021.
Musah became the first American to sign for Valencia when he joined the LaLiga side from Arsenal in 2019. Quick, strong and willing to receive the ball at every opportunity, he is a key part of Gennaro Gattuso’s setup at Mestalla.
His versatility means that he can play as a box-to-box midfielder as well as an attacking winger. The USMNT player offers energy, pace and power in Berhalter's engine room.
Wales XI vs USA
Rob Page names his side for Wales' Group B opener. Gareth Bale will captain his country in Qatar.
Group B fixtures
21 November: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium: USA-Wales 02:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT
25 November: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium: Wales-Iran 05:00 am ET / 02:00 am PT
25 November: Al Bayt Stadium: England-USA 2:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT
29 November: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium: Wales-England 2:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT
29 November: Al Thumama Stadium: Iran-USA 2:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT
USA starting XI
Gregg Berhalter names his first side of the tournament. Tyler Adams captains the side against Wales.
Wales + Bale
Wales arrive in Qatar after beating Austria and Ukraine in the playoffs thanks to goals from Gareth Bale. The former Real Madrid player left La Liga to play in the MLS ahead of Qatar and will be key if his country are to progress to the last 16.
USA One to Watch - Brenden Aaronson
The ex-Philadelphia Union midfielder... wait, is he a midfielder? Aaronson is kind of an everywhere-all-the-time-er, running and running not stopping until the referee tells everyone its time to go because the car park is getting locked by the groundskeeper and his car is inside.
Gregg Berhalter will love having someone as energetic and dangerous in his team, someone who is able to make already nervous defences nervous-er and trust me, don’t trust those glistening eyes and luscious locks of hair, because heartbreaker Brenden will draw you in before running right past you.
A first World Cup for Dest
Barcelona's Sergiño Dest will play in his first World Cup at the age of 22.
Wales' pre-match stroll
The Wales players were out for a stroll earlier ahead of tonight's match against the USA.
Gregg Berhalter’s defensive selections were affected by injuries to Miles Robinson, Chris Richards and, to a much lesser extent, Sam Vines. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Aaron Long, and recalled veteran Tim Ream will hope to be given the nod to partner Walker Zimmerman in central defence.
In midfield, Weston McKennie and Luca de la Torre are both included despite their recent fitness problems. The Juventus midfielder was happy to reassure fans that he would be ready in time to play against Wales in the US’ first game: “I’m feeling good, my recovery is going well. I’m trying to make sure I’m 100% when it’s time to play the first match. It’ll be a quicker recovery than expected.”
USA vs Wales
We'll have the team news for both countries as soon as it's in!
Group B
England beat Iran 6-2 in today's earlier Group B clash.
The USMNT are playing their 11th World Cup match, while Wales will make their first World Cup appearance in 64 years.
USA vs Wales: welcome!
Hello and welcome to AS USA's live coverage of this 2022 World Cup Group B match between the USA and Wales