It's been 3,065 days. Finally the wait is over. The USA returned to the World Cup after missing the 2018 edition. This time around in qualifying, Gregg Berhalter's squad claimed one of the three automatic spots, narrowly ahead of Costa Rica, before suffering a setback against Japan and managing a draw with Saudi Arabia in September exhibitions.
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The fans were ready to support their youths. They waited too long to bring the vibe of America in World Cup.
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The USA designated its youngest starting XI (25 years, 100 days) in a World Cup game since a 2-1 defeat to Austria in June 1990 (24 years, 52 days). Gregg Berhalter's side started with a front three featuring Chelsea's Pulisic, while Milan loanee Dest and Juventus' McKennie made up an experienced combination that belied their youthful age.
UNITED STATES XI (4-3-3): Matt Turner, Antonee Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Tim Ream, Sergino Dest; Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie; Josh Sargent, Timothy Weah, Christian Pulisic.
SUBS: Ethan Horvath; Sean Johnson, Giovanni Reyna, Jesus Ferreira, Brenden Aaronson, Luca de la Torre, Aaron Long, Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Shaq Moore, Haji Wright, Cameron Carter-Vickers, DeAndre Yedlin, Kellyn Acosta, Joe Scally.
Here we go. 🇺🇸
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 21, 2022
Full Lineup Notes » https://t.co/DvhSXPvqRy#USMNT x @Visa pic.twitter.com/V8VpU1oBMG
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Wales qualified to only their second World Cup in their history and their first involvement at FIFA's major tournament in 64 years. Rob Page's side overcame Ukraine in the play-offs, courtesy of a Gareth Bale free-kick, to seal their berth in Qatar. The Dragons hadn't played since September 25—a 1-0 defeat to Poland in the Nations League—and are winless in their last five outings.
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The big news for Wales was that Captain Bale was fit to start in the Middle East. The ex-Real Madrid winger was flanked by James and Wilson, with Page opting for a three-man defense featuring Tottenham's Ben Davies.
WALES XI (3-4-3): Wayne Hennessey, Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham; Neco Williams, Aaron Ramsey, Ethan Ampadu, Connor Roberts; Dan James, Gareth Bale, Harry Wilson.
SUBS: Danny Ward, Adam Davies, Chris Gunter, Joe Allen, Brennan Johnson, Kieffer Moore, Joe Morrell, Tom Lockyer, Jonny Williams, Mark Harris, Sorba Thomas, Dylan Levitt, Ben Cabango, Rubin Colwill, Matt Smith.
🇺🇸🏴 | STARTING XI
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) November 21, 2022
HANES! CWPAN Y BYD! #ArBenYByd | #FIFAWorldCup | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/IGtOt7HJsL
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From the very outset, the US was able to hold onto the ball without too much pressure from their Welsh counterparts, as Rob Page's men sat back and kept a tight shape in the early minutes. Cards were coming early for the US, but they were the ones with 69 percent possession thus far, which reflected how the first half had shaped out so far; Wales were on the back foot and appeared to be banking on a counter-attacking approach. The established pattern continued, as every red shirt sat inside the Wales half and the US passed patiently around deep in midfield.
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Both sets of fans were making themselves heard at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, and there was plenty of optimism for the US supporters from their rookie players thus far.
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Goals were anticipated since the USA had never had a goalless draw at the World Cup in 34 matches—more than any other team in the history of the competition.
Wales' hardships worsened. Intense US pressure continued to mount, and finally the USA triumphed! It's been trying to come! Sargent and Pulisic combined quickly within the Wales half, and the latter spent no time in identifying space to slip a low pass through to Weah. The US attacker clutched onto the ball with gusto just outside the box and took just one stride before tucking the ball home past Hennessey to open the score! USA 1-0 Wales!
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While carrying by far the most importance, Weah has now scored two goals in his last four games for the USA in all competitions—as many as in his first 22.
The US wasn't sated by their initial goal, and they were still utterly dominating in this first half. They moved the ball at a fast pace, and Wales needed to put up a strong reaction here so far.
Out-thought and overrun in midfield, Wales required a re-think; they were perhaps fortunate not to be further behind. Under severe pressure from Bale and Moore inside his six-yard box, without a doubt, the change of approach from Wales had given the US more to think about defensively, and as a consequence, their incredibly high line of the first half had dropped back significantly.
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Reflecting their supremacy since the break, Wales had 67 percent of the possession over the opening 15 minutes of this second half. The dragons were throwing everything but were still shy of a goal. Time was running out, and US were a hard nut to crack. They were so close, but destiny had other plans for them. PENALTY!! An awful sliding tackle from Zimmerman inside the American area upends Bale, and the referee didn't hesitate in pointing to the spot!
WALES EQUALISE!!! Bale bailed Cymru out again! After winning the penalty himself, Wales' veteran skipper stepped up to handle the pressure and drove his spot-kick into the top of the net via a fingertip from Turner. It was a brave effort to keep the ball out, but Bale applied too much power! It's 1-1!
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Bale became just the fourth player to score a World Cup goal for Wales and the first since 1958.
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It remained all-action, with both sides relentless in their commitment to the cause, and several men on either team were clearly only running on fumes. Nobody could find a late, late winner as the game approached the triple-one mark.
HIGHLIGHTS
The US must bounce back quickly from their disappointment at failing to close out the win—they last tasted victory in the World Cup five games ago—as they meet Group B leaders England on Friday. Meanwhile, Wales will feel their meeting with Iran is a must-win as they face an all-British clash with the Three Lions on the final day.
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