Late Gareth Bale penalty secures draw for Wales in first World Cup finals game in 64 years
Wales came from behind to draw 1-1 with the USA in their first World Cup finals since 1958.
The USA completely dominated the first half and took the lead on 36 minutes when Timothy Weah, son of footballing icon George Weah, scored from Christian Pulisic’s through-ball.
Pulisic drove through the middle of the park unopposed, before playing a wonderfully cute pass towards the intelligent run of Weah, who had drifted in from the right.
But the match took a dramatic turn late in the second half when Wales captain Gareth Bale scored a penalty in the 81st minute.
Hundreds gathered at the Al Bidda Park in Doha to watch the Group B match, while fans back home flocked to venues across Wales after the 64-year wait.
Speaking ahead of the game, Bale said the squad were feeling the “buzz from back home”.
Earlier, England secured a comfortable 6-2 win against Iran to get their World Cup campaign up and running in Qatar, amid “carnage” off the pitch for some fans trying to enter the stadium.
