AL RAYYAN, Qatar — Walker Zimmerman wagged his still left pointer finger in the air from exactly where he lay sprawled out on the ground. He shook his head and yelled, “No, no, no, no, no!” But it was to no avail. The referee was already pointing to the penalty location.
The United States experienced been top Wales by the narrowest of margins in the teams’ return to the World Cup when, with about 10 minutes remaining before stoppage time, Zimmerman slid into the legs of the Welsh celebrity Gareth Bale and despatched him tumbling to the grass.
Before long Bale was on his feet again, blasting his penalty kick into the appropriate corner of the internet, scoring the aim that helped Wales snatch a 1-1 attract that could have suited the two teams, but will have definitely pleased only a person.
It was a cruel ending for the United States, which was returning to the most important stage in men’s soccer for the initially time in 8 several years and appeared to be in regulate for considerably of the match right after being staked to a 1st-fifty percent lead by ahead Tim Weah. But it will have to do, for both of them, for now.
The People in america up coming enjoy England, which defeated Iran to get the early lead in Team B, on Friday night.
With Wales bunkered in entrance of its intention, employing five defenders and stacking the relaxation of the crew near by, the Us citizens, who savored two-thirds of the possession in the initially 50 %, expended much of that time easing the ball from side to facet, striving to come across an opening, waiting for the Welsh to slip up or doze off for a second.
The instant arrived, last but not least, in the 36th moment. Christian Pulisic been given the ball on the run and surged via the heart of the Welsh defense, dragging two defenders with him. Weah at the same time was generating a slashing run toward the aim from the wing. Pulisic slotted a completely weighted go into the penalty spot, where Weah stutter-stepped and flicked the ball into the internet with the outside the house of his proper cleat.
Weah then wheeled away from the target and slid towards a corner flag, where by his teammates engulfed him in celebration.
Prior to Bale’s goal, Wales’ ideal scoring probabilities arrived close to the 64th moment, when Ben Davies headed a ball that appeared to be destined for the goal right until the American goalkeeper Matt Turner pushed it more than the crossbar. On the ensuing corner, Kieffer Moore drilled a header of his individual around the internet.
Wales fans react to their first World Cup game in 64 years
Wales experienced shown minor sense of experience until finally people makes an attempt and in any other case struggled to string jointly additional than a few passes at a time. As the 2nd 50 % ongoing, the People in america appeared to be cruising toward a vital opening victory.
Until Bale stepped up, as he so normally does, to steal away the highlight.
