Wales and USA draw at World Cup - Celtic defender stays on bench but ex-forward scores

An 84th-minute penalty from Gareth Bale rescued a draw for Wales against USA in their World Cup Group B opener in Qatar.

Wales players celebrate after Gareth Bale scored their side's equaliser from the penalty spot.

Robert Page’s team were a clear second best in the first half and trailed on 35 minutes when forward Tim Weah – who spent half-a-season on loan at Celtic in 2019 – burst through the Welsh defence and coolly slotted the ball past Wayne Hennessey. However, with the introduction of Kieffer Moore as a half-time substitute, Wales improved after the break and were awarded a penalty when American defender Walker Zimmermann fouled Bale in the penalty box and the 33-year-old forward dusted himself down to score.

Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers was an unused substitute for the USA, who take on England next on Friday evening. Wales’ next match in on Friday morning against Iran, before their final group match next week against England. Earlier in the day in the group, Gareth Southgate’s men thrashed the Iranians 6-2 and top the group after the first round of fixtures.