Late Bale penalty earns Wales 1-1 draw with U.S.
Tuesday, November 22, 2022, 09:27 GMT+7
AL RAYYAN, Qatar -- A late penalty by veteran striker Gareth Bale earned Wales a 1-1 draw with the United States on Monday to avoid a losing return to the World Cup after 64 years in a fascinating Group B encounter at a raucous Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Dragged down by U.S. defender Tim Ream in the box, Wales' all-time top scorer stepped up to the penalty spot in the 82nd minute and made no mistake by hammering the ball into the top corner in front of the "Red Wall" of fans.
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| Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - United States v Wales - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 22, 2022 Wales' Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Brennan Johnson with Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream of the U.S. after the match. Photo: Reuters |
With one of the youngest teams at the tournament and themselves returning after eight years, the United States started energetically and took a well-deserved 1-0 lead with a 36th minute goal from Timothy Weah. They were unlucky not to go into the break with a bigger advantage against the flat Welsh.
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| Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - United States v Wales - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 21, 2022 Wales' Gareth Bale is fouled by Kellyn Acosta of the U.S. Photo: Reuters |
Weah, the son of Liberian president and former World Player of the Year George Weah, timed his run to perfection after a beautifully-weighted pass from Christian Pulisic and slipped the ball past Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
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| Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - United States v Wales - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 22, 2022 Wales' Gareth Bale and Brennan Johnson shake hands after the match. Photo: Reuters |
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| Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - United States v Wales - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 22, 2022 Wales players and fan celebrate after the match. Photo: Reuters |
