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The United States and Wales drew 1-1 on Monday as they entered the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, leaving the race to qualify fully open in a group where England swept Iran 6-2.
One half each: as much as “Team USA” deserved to lead 1-0 at the break, thanks to Timothy Weah (36th), following suffocating the Welsh for 45 minutes, as much as the “Dragons” did not steal their equalization by Gareth Bale (82nd on penalty), following a second half full of energy and will.
On their return to the World Cup following a 64-year absence, the Welsh had the support of a raucous and enthusiastic colony of fans dressed all in red.
But from the start, the Americans, who arrived in Qatar with the second youngest selection of the tournament (following Ghana), deprived the British of the ball, and took almost total control of the midfield.
The first clear chance came just 10 minutes into the game, when Josh Sargent put a powerful header on the post.
It was thought then that the Dragons would crack quickly. But Rob Page’s players, failing to be able to develop their soccer, were well in place defensively. And it was only on their second chance that the United States opened the scoring.
point of hope
In the Weah family, the son…
George, the father, had shone with Paris or AC Milan before becoming president of his country, Liberia. But it was Timothy, the son, who put the family name in the World Cup Golden Book, opening the scoring for the Americans.
Superbly launched in depth by Christian Pulisic, the young 22-year-old striker beat Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey (1-0, 36th).
All these young Americans are gaining experience in Qatar which they hope will be valuable to them in four years, for their home World Cup in 2026 (the United States will co-host it with Canada and Mexico).
But the coach Welshman Rob Page, at the break, had to set the record straight. Because the reds returned to the pitch with a lot more ideas, aggressiveness and enthusiasm.
The second period was at times unbridled, the two teams seeking in turn the K.-O. The Welsh came close to equalizing in the 64th minute when Ben Davies saw his powerful header slammed over the bar by USA goalkeeper Matt Turner.
And it was finally Gareth Bale, transparent during the first 45 minutes, who snatched the equalizer. Jostled in the area, the former Real Madrid striker left no one to transform the penalty logically whistled by the Qatari referee of the match, Mr. Al Jassim (1-1, 82nd).
Despite a frenzied end to the match, neither team managed to snatch victory.
This point of draw is also for both teams a point of hope, in a group where Iran appears below the lot and England probably above.