Gareth Bale scored his first-ever FIFA World Cup goal to help Wales secure a 1-1 draw with the United States of America in their Group B opener on Monday night.
2022 FIFA World Cup
Result: United States 1-1 Wales
Date: 21 November 2022
Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali
Wales went for a front-three of Gareth Bale, Harry Wilson and Daniel James, while Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie were the standout names for the United States' line-up.
The Americans nearly found the breakthrough inside the opening 10 minutes when Joe Rodon nearly scored an own goal but for a crucial save by goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, before Josh Sargent struck the upright with a neat header moments later.
The Welsh enjoyed most of the possession in the first half, but they struggled to carve out any serious openings in the opening 20 minutes.
United States got the breakthrough in the 35th minute when Pulisic played in Timothy Weah, who poked the ball beyond the on-rushing Hennessey.
With the Welsh not troubling the USA defence in the first half, they responded with a change at the start of the second half as James made way for Kieffer Moore.
The change certainly had an effect on the clash as Wales become more dominant in the second period, which nearly resulted in the equaliser on 65 minutes when Ben Davies saw his diving header tipped over the crossbar by Matt Turner.
USA responded with a few changes of their own to freshen up the side, as Deandre Yedlin, Kellyn Acosta and Haji Wright were introduced for the final 15 minutes.
Wales were given a lifeline in the 80th minute after being awarded a penalty for Walker Zimmerman's clumsy challenge on Bale, who stepped up and rifled the ball home from 12-yards to level matters.
There were nine minutes of time added on in the second half, as both sides went in search of a winning goal. However, neither could get the go-ahead goal despite Wales dominating as the encounter ended all square.
Wales will now turn their attention to Friday's clash against England, while United States entertain Iran on the same day.
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