The conversion from the spot, the way he tinkered around Walker Zimmerman to win the penalty – it could not have been anyone but Gareth Bale to ensure Wales enjoyed their first taste of World Cup football in over six decades.
This was Bale’s 41st goal for his country and one of the most momentous yet. Undimmed by his move to MLS, he remains the game-changer even when unable to muster his usual creative spark.
It was what Wales deserved, however, after weathering a US onslaught in the first half, when it looked as if their return to the biggest stage would end in disappointment.
Until Monday night, the last man to score against them at a World Cup was Pele, in Brazil’s 1958 quarter-final victory. It was another of international football’s household names who matched that feat, but it was Timothy – son of Ballon d’Or George – Weah who threatened to send Welsh dreams crashing back to reality 64 years later.
Joe Rodon was caught out of position allowing Christian Pulisic to play the through ball for Weah’s opener, but it was no less than the USA – who received an unexpected call from President Biden before kick-off – deserved.
“You are the underdog”, Biden told them, but as Rodon headed one of Weah’s crosses straight towards his own goal and Josh Sargent headed wide of the near post moments later, it was Wales who looked like the victims of a gulf in class.
Rob Page’s solution was to haul off Dan James, who had engineered little up front, and replace him with Kieffer Moore. The impact was almost instant with Moore able to keep the ball up, allowing Neco Williams and Connor Roberts far more width. Page had initially set them up to boast little of the ball, a strategy they may have to rethink if they are to escape Group B.
Ben Davies nearly benefited from Wales’ sudden momentum, denied by US goalkeeper Matt Turner from a diving header in from a wide free-kick. Moore got too much on his own header from the resulting corner.
That left it to Bale to keep Wales from defeat with his spot-kick into the top right, while Ethan Ampadu made sure they held onto a point with a lunging tackle on Zimmerman to halt the USA’s injury-time attack. Bale might have even added a winner when he caught Matt Turner off his line in the dying seconds before being cynically fouled by Kellyn Acosta.
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Hennessey – Made an instinctive save from Rodon to prevent an own goal but had few concrete chances to deal with despite USA’s early dominance 6/10
Roberts – Produced some outstanding defending to deny Pulisic and his positioning going forward was excellent in the second half 7/10
Mepham – Could not contain Christian Pulisic and eventually got himself in the book for bringing him down 5/10
Rodon – Dragged out of position for Weah’s goal. Also lucky not to score an own goal when he headed towards Hennessey, although there was arguably little he could do about that. Somewhat redeemed himself with a superb tackle to set up a Welsh counter 5/10
B Davies – Led Wales’ back three and was organisationally superb, albeit he had Weah’s pace to deal with. Unlucky not to score with his diving header 7/10
Williams – Won two free-kicks in quick succession and after initially struggling with USA’s balls over the top, finally grew into a wing-back 7/10
Ramsey – Set up Bale to win the penalty but he was largely anonymous. Wales badly missed Joe Allen in the middle 4/10
Ampadu – Considering he was playing in midfield rather than at centre-back, he managed several key tackles and an overhead clearance 7/10
Wilson – Had to feel his way into proceedings but his main offering was from set-pieces. Eventually began to trouble Sergino Dest 5/10
Bale – A perfect penalty and telling of his ability to conjure up big moments out of thin air. Unfairly booked for a great tackle tracking back on Yunus Musah 7/10
James – Didn’t suit Wales’ direct approach and showed little of his pace. A hit man like Moore was always going to be better suited and James was taken off at half time 3/10
Substitutes:
Moore – Missed a golden chance with a powerful header over the bar, but the added pressure from his introduction transformed Wales overall 6/10
B Johnson – Broke free for a late chance but aimed it straight at the goalkeeper when he could have found Bale 5/10
Morrell – N/A
Thomas – N/A
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