KEIR RADNEDGE in DOHA: A penalty earned and converted by who else but Gareth Bale pulled Wales back from the brink against the United States in their World Cup Group B tie in Al Thumama.

To draw 1-1 was remarkable since Wales had been second best by a long way in the first half which they ended lucky to be trailing by one single goal from Timothy Weah.

US had failed to qualify for the last World Cup finals and had eagerly sought to make up for lost time in the manner of their approach to the first half.

They dominated possession and Wales were twice fortunate to escape. First an inadvertent back-header from Ben Davies to a right-wing cross ricocheted out off the hands of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey then Josh Sargent headed wastefully wide at the opposite post.

The American aggression was not all creative. Both Sergino Dest and Weston McKennie were shown yellow cards in quick succession for scything down Neco Williams.

However Wales were unable to generate anything in attack and US grabbed an overdue lead in the 35^th minute. Christian Pulisic’s dashing run drew Joe Rodon forward and Weah raced into the gap to shoot past Hennessey.

Wales, with no option but to force a route back into the game. brought on Kiefer Moore up front at halftime. and took control of the second half. Davies had a diving header tipped over by keeper Matt Turner for a corner which Moore glanced narrowly over the bar.

The Americans’ game had totally collapsed at this point with the snappy cohesion of the first half having vanished into scrappiness

The Welsh were not to be denied. In the 80th minute Aaron Ramsey found space on the right and Bale was brough down from behind by Walker Zimmerman. Bale rammed home the penalty. He thus added his name to the roll of honour of Wales’ World Cup marksmen after John Charles, Ivor Allchurch and Terry Medwin.

They all scored their goals the last time Wales appeared in the finals – 64 years ago in 1958.

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