| Wales’ Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring an equalizer from a penalty kick in the first leg of their Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B match against the United States at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on the morning of 22 ( Korean time). AP News |
It took 64 years for Wales to get back on the World Cup stage. And the historic first goal was from captain Gareth Bale (LA FC).
Wales drew 1-1 thanks to Bale’s penalty kick equalizer in the 37th minute of the second half in the first leg of their Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B match with the United States held this morning at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium of Al Rayyan, Qatar on the 22nd (Korean time). The first draw came in the fourth game since the start of this World Cup.
Wales took to the stage for the first time in 64 years since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. Ian Rush, Mark Hughes, Gary Speed and Ryan Giggs, who made a name for themselves in the Welsh national team, failed to make it to the World Cup stage.
But Bale was different. Bale has been a symbol of Welsh football since 2022. He made his A-match debut in 2006 and recorded the most appearances (109 games) and goals (41 goals) of all Welsh players. He left the European stage behind and ended his active career at LA FC, and rejoiced in the first World Cup appearance in his life. He led the juniors, who are called the golden generation of Welsh football, and confidently advanced to the World Cup finals, and took the lead in points scoring by scoring a goal in the first match of the group stage.
Wales got off to a bad start. The United States, who advanced to the World Cup finals eight years after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, launched a strong offensive from the start and finally took the lead through Timothy Weah (Lille)’s goal in the 36′ of the first half. Christian Pulisic’s penetrating pass (Chelsea) was calmly completed by Weah.
Wales launched a second-half counter-attack. Bale tripped over the legs of American defender Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) in the 36th minute of the second half, failing to put an accurate shot on goal for the USA and was awarded a penalty. Bale came out as a footballer himself and after putting in a powerful shot to the top right of goal, he cheered with his team mates. Wales, who gained momentum, led the United States until the end of the match, but ultimately no goals were scored.
In Group B, England, who defeated Iran 6-2, topped the group, and the United States and Wales vied for second place.
Correspondent Oh Hae-won
