World Cup recap: USMNT ties vs. Wales on Tim Weah, Gareth Bale goals

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USMNT, Wales share the spoils in 1-1 tie

The United States didn’t get the result it wanted in its World Cup opener, fighting out a 1-1 draw against Wales on Monday in Qatar. The Americans led for most of the game after Tim Weah’s first-half goal, but Welsh star Gareth Bale converted a late penalty kick to earn his team a point.

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The U.S. bunkered down in the second half and was able to absorb the pressure until Bale stepped to the spot after being fouled by defender Walker Zimmerman.

The Americans are back in action on Friday against Group B leader England (who routed Iran earlier), tied for second in the group with one point.

Wales ties it up on late Gareth Bale penalty

Gareth Bale converted a penalty kick after being fouled in by Walker Zimmerman. U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner guessed the correct way, but Wales’ all-time leading scorer found the back of the net with a powerful shot to make it 1-1 in the 82nd minute.

Forward Jordan Morris came on a substitute for Tim Weah in the 88th minute.

Matt Turner makes big save, USMNT makes subs

Wales started the second half on the front foot and forced American goalkeeper Matt Turner into making his first save of the game in the 64th minute. Turner, who plays for Arsenal, got a hand on Ben Davies' free header to tip it over the crossbar.

American manager Gregg Berhalter started to make substitutions, bringing on Brenden Aaronson for Weston McKennie, who was on a yellow card. In a 74th minute triple-sub, DeAndrew Yedlin, Kellyn Acosta and Haji Wright replaced Dest, Musah and Sargent.

USMNT leads Wales 1-0 at halftime

Wales bunkered down in the first half allowing the U.S. to dominate possession (66%) – and the Americans were unable to find a way through until Tim Weah’s goal in the 36th minute. The U.S. was tidy with the ball, completing 90% of its passes.

The last player to score against Wales in the World Cup? Brazilian legend Pele in the 1958 quarterfinals.

The officiating was a talking point in the first 45 with Abdulrahman Al-Jassim giving yellow cards to Sergino Dest (11’) and Weston McKennie (13’) early. U.S. players grew visibly frustrated, believing Wales should have been carded for similar tackles, but Welsh star Gareth Bale did see yellow for taking down Yunus Musah from behind in the 40th minute. Chris Mepham also picked up a card in first-half stoppage time.

Tim Weah puts USMNT ahead with 36th-minute goal

The United States finally found a way through to score the opening goal, with Tim Weah poking home after getting a perfectly weighted pass slipped through the defense by Christian Pulisic.

Weah, 22, is the first American goalscorer at the World Cup since Julian Green in 2014.

USMNT has early chances vs. Wales; Dest, McKennie see yellow

In the ninth minute, the U.S. asked serious questions of the Welsh defense with back-to-back opportunities. First, Tim Weah's driven cross was turned towards goal by Wales defender Joe Rodon, requiring a quick save from goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

The U.S. missed out on a another opportunity a few seconds later, with Josh Sargent's header clipping the outside of the post on a cross from left back Antonee Robinson.

Sergino Dest (11th minute) and Weston McKennie (13') both received yellow cards from Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim.

USMNT announces starting lineup

A little more than an hour before their match against Wales, the USMNT announced the starting lineup coach Gregg Berhalter will lead on the pitch, and there were a couple of interesting decisions.

The move to start forward Josh Sargent over Jesús Ferreira is noteworthy, but the bigger surprise is 35-year-old Tim Ream starting at center back. Ream has not played a competitive match for USMNT since Sept. 2021. Prior to the World Cup, he hadn't been called into the team since October last year.

Today’s Starting XI has an average age of 25 years, 102 days. It is the fourth-youngest USMNT lineup at a FIFA World Cup, behind only the three lineups at the 1990 tournament where the XIs averaged just over 24 years old. 

All 11 players will make their FIFA World Cup debut.

At 19 years, 358 days, Yunus Musah becomes the youngest player to start a World Cup match for the USMNT.

Jurgen Klinsmann: 'There's far more respect now' abroad for U.S. players, coaches

German soccer legend and former USMNT coach Jürgen Klinsmann fielded questions from reporters at the FIFA media centre in suburban Doha.

And the final query of the session took him back to his old job, as he praised both Major League Soccer and the USMNT's talented generation of youngsters for the growing profile of U.S.-reared managers like Jesse Marsch and Gregg Berhalter.

"Personally, I think it has changed a lot over the last 10, 12 years, how the world looks at American soccer," said Klinsmann, who later reeled off the list of U.S. players contributing at high-level European clubs as he tipped the USMNT as a team to be reckoned with.

Netherlands tops Senegal, 2-0

The Netherlands matched its Group A foe Ecuador with its own 2-0 victory in its 2022 World Cup opener. Withstanding a competitive Senegal side that ended up with 15 shots, the Netherlands was more efficient in its attacks.

Winger Cody Gakpo, 23, opened the scoring off of a perfectly-timed run in the box, heading home a lob off the right foot of midfielder Frenkie de Jong. Then, with stoppage time waning, Dutch midfielder Davy Klaassen put the match away with a goal off a rebound.

The Netherlands finished with 10 shots, including three on target. It edged Senegal in possession by a margin of 41% to 39%.

That puts the Netherlands in a tie at the top of the group with Ecuador, who defeated host nation Qatar, 2-0, in the tournament opener Sunday.

TB12 ready for USMNT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady enjoyed his bye this weekend in the NFL and appears set to root on the USMNT in its World Cup opener against Wales.

Rising star Cody Gakpo scores go-ahead goal for Netherlands

Cody Gakpo wants to make sure he’s on any list of breakout young stars at this World Cup.

The PSV attacker scored what turned out to be the game-winner for the Netherlands in their 2-0 victory over Senegal, heading a chipped pass from Frenkie de Jong home in the 84th minute.

It’s the latest big moment for Gakpo, who drew intense transfer interest this summer from Manchester United, Leeds, and other clubs around Europe only to end up sticking with PSV. The 23-year-old debuted at PSV at 18, but really started to catch the eye in the 2019-2020 season, producing seven goals and seven assists in the Eredivisie.

Since then, Gakpo has scored 36 goals in all competitions, an excellent record for a midfielder/winger with just over 100 appearances for PSV. And now with this World Cup goal, the spotlight — and winter transfer interest — will likely keep growing.

– Jason Anderson, Pro Soccer Wire

USMNT shows LGBTQ solidarity at training facility, not jersey

Throughout the 2022 World Cup, the USMNT will showcase rainbow team logos at its training facility and media center in Qatar in a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ community but will not feature any such logo on its jerseys.

The logo features the traditional shield but has seven different colors in vertical stripes that represent the rainbow.

In a separate movement known as the "OneLove" campaign, a collective of captains from several European nations had committed to wearing an armband that features the rainbow colors, to promote diversity and inclusion in soccer. 

FIFA, however, threatened to issue yellow cards to players who wear the "One Love" armband, which led to the federations of England, Wales, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland to ask their captains not to wear them.

USMNT names Tyler Adams as World Cup captain

U.S. men's national team coach Gregg Berhalter named midfielder Tyler Adams as his captain throughout the World Cup on Sunday. Adams, 23, is the youngest player to captain the USMNT at a World Cup since 1950. He has worn the armband nine times out of his 32 caps.

“We’re proud to announce Tyler as the captain for the World Cup. We think he has great leadership capabilities,” Berhalter said at a press conference Sunday. “He leads by his actions and his words, so we’re proud to have him as a captain.”

— Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire

Playing in their third World Cup, and doing it without star forward Sadio Mané, Senegal has held its own against one of the world's powers. The match has been fairly even, with possession and play alternating between both halves of the pitch. Even though they applied pressure early, the Netherlands have been sloppy at times on the back end with occasionally careless passes.

Meanwhile, winger Ismaïla Sarr has been the most threatening player for Senegal, which fired six shots, with one on goal in the first half. The Netherlands, by comparison, have five shots, with none on target. Holland, however, has a slight edge in possession: 43% to Senegal's 42%.

In the 40th minute, the Netherlands had its most dangerous attack, when midfielder Steven Berghuis possessed the ball in front of goal and fired a shot with plenty of pace that zipped over the crossbar.

Gareth Bale has Wales dreaming big ahead of World Cup opener vs. USMNT

AL-RAYYAN, Qatar — He’s a teenage phenom turned worldwide superstar who’s won five UEFA Champions League titles, about a dozen other team honors and myriad individual awards. Already long since an icon in his homeland, he was one of the highest-paid players in the world for much of his time at Real Madrid. And earlier this year he moved to sunny Southern California just in time to become an MLS Cup-winning hero for LAFC in Hollywood fashion.

Yet you could almost feel sorry for Gareth Bale on Sunday as he recounted the angst he and the rest of his nation felt as their Welsh national team missed out on the sport’s biggest party over and over again for his entire lifetime — and three decades before that as well.

“I think France ‘98 was probably my first memory,” the winger told reporters one day before Wales’ Group B clash with the U.S. men’s national team, their first World Cup match since 1958. “I just remember having this pencil case with the logo on it and everything.”

Bale’s dazzling skill has been the crown jewel for his talented generation of Welsh players. And after hauling their nation – which largely favored rugby over soccer until they hit the scene – out of the footballing doldrums with a run to the Euro 2016 semifinals in their first major tournament appearance in over half a century, Qatar ‘22 represents a chance to seal their legacy.

Wales faces the U.S. Men's National Team at 2 p.m. ET in Ar-Rayyan, Qatar

— Charles Boehm, Pro Soccer Wire

The starting 11 for Senegal-Netherlands

The starting lineups are out for the second match of the day, between Senegal and the Netherlands.

England reminds Group B rivals they are all playing for second place

England made a major statement in its World Cup opener, hammering Iran 6-2 to lay down a marker in Group B.

The Three Lions were always favored to finish atop a group that also includes the U.S. and Wales, but the emphatic nature of their win on Monday underlined their status as the class of their World Cup group.

It was England’s young stars who shined the brightest at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, with 19-year-old Jude Bellingham opening the scoring with a header before 21-year-old Bukayo Saka scored a brace in his first World Cup game.

After reaching the semifinal of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020, England entered the 2022 World Cup as one of the favorites and its performance against an overwhelmed Iranian side did nothing to dispel that notion. But the four-goal margin of victory set England on course to finish atop Group B, with goal differential as the first tiebreaker. Next up for the Three Lions is a showdown with the U.S. Men's National Team on Friday.

— Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire

Final: England 6, Iran 2

England was dominant from start to finish in its first match of the 2022 World Cup.

Next up for England? That'd be the USMNT on Friday at 2 p.m. ET. Iran will look to bounce back against Wales in Friday's early game, a 5 a.m. ET start.

World Cup soundtrack singer walks out on interview

One of the artists behind a theme song of the 2022 World Cup stopped a live TV interview and walked out after he was asked about the issue of Qatar's human rights record.

During a broadcast on Israeli public television in Qatar, Colombian singer-songwriter Maluma left the set calling Israel's KAN News chief international correspondent Moav Vardi "rude."

In the taping, Vardi asked: "Don't you have a problem with human rights violations in this country?"

“Yeah but it’s something I can’t resolve. I just came here to enjoy life, enjoy soccer and the party of soccer,” Maluma responded. “It’s not something that I actually have to be involved with. I’m here enjoying my music and the beautiful life, playing soccer too."

Vardi then pushed Maluma on the matter, asking if he understands why people might have an issue with his response.

“Do I have to answer that question?” Maluma said, looking off screen.

Someone heard off set is then heard telling him no.

"You’re rude,” Maluma told the reporter, then stood up and walked off the set. — Natalie Neysa Alund

England extends lead to 5-1

England made four subs in the 70th minute after a nervy moment when defender Harry Maguire was evaluated for a concussion. Marcus Rashford came on for Saka and immediately scored a goal in the run of play. The Three Lions are dominating the game so far and have not let up their attack. In the World Cup the top two teams advance on first point total with goal differential as a tiebreaker.

Iran finds a goal, England leads 4-1

Minutes after Saka scored a second goal to give England its fourth four-goal game in the World Cup (others were 2018 vs Panama, 1954 and 1966 when they won it all), Iran found the back of the net.

Iran overloaded the right side of the pitch to open up space for Mehdi Taremi to score.

Senegal vs. Netherlands — 11 a.m.

Time: Monday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. ET

Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar

How to watch: FOX and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock

The top two contenders in Group A face each other when Senegal and Netherlands kick off Monday. Senegal will be without the world-class talent of Sadio Mane due to injury, which is a critical blow. Hope now lies with goalkeeper Edouardo Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly. The Netherlands have a key absence of their own without veteran Georginio Wijnaldum. 

Halftime: England 3, Iran 0 Why 14 minutes of 'stoppage' time in England-Iran match?

Iran's starting goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand fell to the ground after a collision with his teammate. The goalkeeper was on the ground for more than 10 minutes and was eventually stretchered off the field in the 19th minute when Hosssein Hosseini was brought in as a substitute. Because it was a head injury, the substitution does not count against the five player subs for Iran. 

The time stopped was tacked onto the end of the first 45 minutes as 14 minutes of stoppage time.

England scores twice in five minutes

England made it 2-0 after defender Harry Maguire leapt over Iranian defenders to head a ball into danger. Arsenal midfielder Bukayo Saka, 21, stuck the ball just right, up and over Iran's substitute goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini. Then forward Raheem Sterling took advantage of Iran and scored on a counter attack. It was his 20th goal for the England national team.

England gets on scoreboard first

England midfielder Jude Bellingham, 19, headed in England's first goal of the 2022 World Cup with his first goal for England and a 1-0 lead against Iran. "Hey Jude" chants spread throughout the stadium as the youngest player on England's squad celebrated.

USMNT vs. Wales — 2 p.m.

Time: Monday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. ET

Stadium: Al Rayyan Stadium Ar-Rayyan, Qatar

How to watch: FOX and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock

As long as the eight years since their last run at the World Cup may have felt for fans of the U.S. men's national team, the Welsh have been waiting an actual lifetime for this moment. Their last World Cup appearance was in 1958. Since then, their squad has amassed substantial tournament know-how in the last two European Championships.

And that's not including the masterclass of Gareth Bale.

“I’ve said all along, you’ve probably heard me say this, that I think they’re underrated,” USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter said of Wales at a press conference Sunday.

The political situation back home has been a regular line of questioning for Iran ahead of the team’s opening Group B match against England.

Large swathes of people in the country have risen up to protest for women’s rights following the death of Mahsa Amini while being detained for allegedly breaking rules regarding head coverings.

“We have to accept that the conditions in our country are not right and our people are not happy,” Iran captain Ehsan Hajisafi said. “We are here, but it does not mean that we should not be their voice or we should not respect them.

“Whatever we are is from them. We have to fight. We have to perform the best we can and score goals and to present the bereaved people of Iran with the results. And I hope that the conditions change towards the expectations of the people.”

The protests have seen prominent former players Ali Daei and Javad Nekounam both say they have declined an invitation from FIFA to attend the World Cup.

Contributing: Associated Press

Iran goalkeeper leaves game after collision

Iran's Alireza Beiranvand collided with his own defender. The goalkeeper stayed on the ground while the defender walked away seemingly unharmed. After extended examination Beiranvand returned to play, only to sit down and call for a substitution minutes later.

Journalists at Khalifa International Stadium report a possible issue with FIFA's ticketing application, causing lines outside the stadium. 

With many names familiar to the English Premier League fan, England takes the field led by captain Harry Kane. Iran's captain Ehsan Hajsafi plays left back for Greek Super League club AEK Athens, and their starting striker Mehdi Taremi is a top-five scorer in Portugal for FC Porto.

On the eve of the World Cup, the USMNT got a pep talk from none other than the POTUS himself.

U.S. President Joe Biden, from his desk in the Oval Office, was connected to a phone held by USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter in a room filled with the entire team.

"I know you're the underdog, but I tell you what man, you got some of the best players in the world on your team," Biden said in a video posted by the team on Twitter.

USA TODAY Sports provides a one-stop interactive destination for all your 2022 World Cup needs. You’ll find team schedules, television and streaming options, stories, videos, and the ability to build a personalized match schedule to follow your favorite teams.    

Following FIFA's threat of yellow cards for any players wearing the "OneLove" armbands during the World Cup, the federations of England, Wales, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland have asked their captains not to wear them. The Netherlands, England and Wales open play Monday. 

"We can't put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions including bookings, so we have asked the captains not to attempt to wear the armbands in FIFA World Cup games," the federations said in a joint statement Monday. 

"We were prepared to pay fines that would normally apply to breaches of kit regulations and had a strong commitment to wearing the armband. However, we cannot put our players in the situation where they might be booked or even forced to leave the field of play."

FIFA said Monday that all captains are now allowed to wear its "No Discrimination" armbands. The armbands for that campaign, which was not supposed to begin until the quarterfinals, are blue, with the red outline of a heart around a soccer ball and the words "Football Unites the World."

MORE:World Cup teams ask captains not to wear 'OneLove' armbands after dispute with FIFA

Is it coming home?

England has a history of going into tournaments confident and leaving with its tail between its legs, though, recent success has turned the tides in its favor. The Three Lions came in fourth in the 2018 World Cup and second in the 2020 European Championship. But the men are still searching for their first major trophy since winning the World Cup in 1966.

Captain Harry Kane is two goals away from surpassing Wayne Rooney's all-time goalscoring record. Meanwhile, Iran has a quality forward of its own in Mehdi Taremi. The striker, 30, plays in Portugal and has 13 goals in 18 games. 

Time: Monday, Nov. 21 at 8 a.m. ET

Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium in Ar-Rayyan, Qatar

How to watch: FOX and Telemundo or stream on fuboTV and Peacock