In his nation's first World Cup match in 64 years, Gareth Bale came to Wales' aid once more as the captain's late penalty saved a draw against the United States. In a first half that was dominated by an energetic USA team, Tim Weah's well-placed goal gave Wales the lead after Christian Pulisic's ferocious run and ball.
A one-sided game was turned into a true match when striker Kieffer Moore was introduced to the team at halftime. Ben Davies and Moore both came close to tying the score. Then, with nine minutes remaining, Walker Zimmerman tripped the hitherto unnoticed Bale in the box, and Bale calmly whipped his penalty into the goal to put the visiting Welsh fans in the stands to cheers. Wales played well in the game's closing minutes, elated to have earned a point on their eagerly anticipated World Cup comeback after it had looked like they were headed for a loss that would have meant an early exit from the tournament.
Instead, Robert Page's team will head back to the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday to take on Iran, who had earlier been destroyed 6-2 by England. They know that a win would offer them a chance to advance to the second round. Wales has to face England next on the following Tuesday, but they can put off thinking about that match until then in favour of savouring their comeback.