It was a dramatic first match at the World Cup for Wales, as they contested their first clash at the global tournament for 64 years.
Talisman Gareth Bale rescued a 1-1 draw for the Dragons with a late penalty after USA winger Timothy Weah had given Gregg Berhalter’s side a deserved lead.
Weah and man-of-the-match Kieffer Moore – a half-time substitute for Wales – were among the standout performers, whereas centre backs Walker Zimmerman, who gave away the spot-kick, and Wales’ Joe Rodon struggled.
Below, Sportsmail‘s Kieran Gill runs the rule over the two sides and gives his thoughts on the player ratings in Qatar.
Wales rescued a 1-1 draw against the USA in their World Cup opener on Monday evening
Half-time substitute Kieffer Moore (right) was man-of-the-match after a brilliant showing – below, Sportsmail runs the rule over the two sides and gives our thoughts on the player ratings
Wales (3-5-2)
Goalkeeper: Wayne Hennessey 6
Reactive save to deny his own defender’s header and cannot blame him for conceding the USA’s only shot on target from Weah.
Right wing-back: Connor Roberts 6.5
With the USA dominating the ball, Roberts was limited in getting forward before the break. Finally pushed up in the second half.
Right centre back: Chris Mepham 6.5
Bournemouth defender tried to track Pulisic – easier said than done – and one too many fouls on the USA winger saw him cautioned.
Centre back: Joe Rodon 6
Hennessey saved him the embarrassment of an early own goal but Rodon was sucked out of the back line as Weah scored.
Joe Rodon nearly scored an early own goal and was sucked out of position as Tim Weah scored
Left centre back: Ben Davies 6.5
Davies and Williams had their hands full with the tricky Weah. Bullet header came so close to being Wales’ equaliser.
Left wing-back: Neco Williams 6
Lost Weah for his inside run as Wales fell behind to a well-worked goal. Like Roberts, he was largely restricted in getting forward.
Defensive midfield: Ethan Ampadu 7.5
Wales’ deepest midfielder, there to do the dirty work in front of the back three. Thankless job, that, but he played his part here.
Centre midfield: Aaron Ramsey 6.5
Ramsey is tidy and technically gifted and he finally showed that in the second half after growing into this game.
It didn’t look like it would be the Welsh wizard’s night but he won and converted a penalty
Centre midfield: Harry Wilson 6
One of four Fulham starters here. Wilson tucked into midfield and was livelier once Wales started to see the ball.
Striker: Dan James 6
Page’s change of tack saw James sacrificed at half time and it was Moore’s introduction which turned this match on its head.
Striker: Gareth Bale 7
Didn’t look like it would be the Welsh wizard’s night then he won a penalty and scored it himself. The hero again!
Target man Moore was outstanding after coming on and bullied the American defence (right)
Substitutes:
Kieffer Moore (for James 45) – 8
Brennan Johnson (for Williams 79)
Sorba Thomas (for Wilson 90)
Joe Morrell (for Ampadu 90)
Manager: Robert Page 7
Will take Wales’ first World Cup point since 1958 after their slow start, with the manager’s half-time introduction of Moore changing the game.
United States (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Matt Turner 6
Didn’t have a save to make in the first half, but Arsenal’s reserve goalkeeper couldn’t stop Bale from burying his penalty.
Right back: Sergino Dest 6
Right back sent one shot so high and wide it landed in Dubai. Wales didn’t test Dest enough defensively before he was substituted.
Centre back: Walker Zimmermann 5.5
Sorry, Walker, you can’t lunge in from behind. The Nashville centre back claimed he didn’t foul Bale but he did.
Centre back: Tim Ream 6
The Fulham centre back initially had it easy against Bale and Co, but he was made to work in the second half.
Centre half Walker Zimmerman did not need to slide in on Gareth Bale and concede a spot-kick
Left back: Antonee Robinson 6
Fulham left back got forward to produce teasing crosses but once Wales woke up, he was locked in his own half.
Defensive midfield: Tyler Adams 7.5
One of the Premier League’s top distance coverers for Leeds and never stopped here. Professional solo performance at the heart of the USA’s midfield.
Centre midfield: Yunus Musah 7
At 19, Musah became the youngest American to start a World Cup game. Forward runs from midfield were menacing.
Centre midfield: Weston McKennie 6
The Juventus midfielder’s early yellow was a concern, especially given the USA’s aggressive press. He was replaced when Wales started to impose themselves.
Right wing: Christian Pulisic 7
Chelsea winger was picking up nice pockets of space and pass in behind for the USA’s opener was perfectly weighted.
Lille forward Timothy Weah was a constant threat and a fine run and finish led to the first goal
Left wing: Timothy Weah 7.5
The Lille forward was a constant threat coming inside from the right and a fine run and finish gave the USA their deserved lead.
Striker: Josh Sargent 6
Led the line and woodwork stopped the Norwich striker from opening the scoring, which was his only sniff of goal.
Substitutes:
Brenden Aaronson (for McKennie 66) – 6
DeAndre Yedlin (for Dest 75) – 6
Kellyn Acosta (for Musah 75) – 6
Haji Wright (for Sargent 75) – 6
Shaquell Moore (for Weah 88)
Manager: Gregg Berhalter 6.5
USA were winning the tactical battle and took a deserved lead through Weah. But struggled to live with Wales after half time.
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim 6
Qatari referee was card happy throughout, but kudos for making the big call to award Wales their penalty.
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