2022Thu as t boo

Captain Marvel keeps his cool with an emphatic late penalty to grab a deserved leveller and boost Welsh hopes of reaching the last 16

MICHAEL SHEEN was right when he said a red storm was coming to the gates of Qatar.

After a 64-year wait, last night was the realisation of a long-held dream for Wales fans as a generation finally watched their nation in World Cup finals action.

In his rousing speech to Rob Page’s squad, Welsh actor Sheen gave the players all the motivation they needed ahead of this historic campaign.

“They’ve always said we’re too small, we’re too slow, we’re too weak, too full of fear,” bellowed Sheen.

“But Yma o Hyd (Still Here, the title of a famous Welsh folk song), you sons of Speed, and they fall around us.”

And in the Ahmad Bin

Ali Stadium, Wales supporters created the red storm Sheen envisioned in his impassioned address, decades of frustration and failure finally released, as they took their rightful place on football’s biggest stage.

For 80 minutes, it looked as though Sheen’s speech and the fervent support of the travelling Welsh fans was in vain, as they trailed to a hungrier, sharper US side.

But star player Gareth Bale came to his country’s rescue, winning and converting the penalty to bring Wales level eight minutes from time.

On the Metro to the stadium, Wales fans took over carriages with stirring renditions of their national anthem, as well as a lusty version of Delilah, outnumbering and, once inside the newly-built arena, out-singing their US counterparts.

The red wall, built on the success of Chris Coleman’s side’s momentous run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, lacked its formidable strength at Euro 2020, when Wales were forced to play in the Azerbaijan capital Baku, which limited the number of fans who could travel.

But Wales supporters made up for that missed opportunity by descending en masse to Doha, their full 3,000-strong ticket allocation taken, their support emboldened by a fervent national pride and the indomitable spirit of their squad, which has enabled it to punch above its weight so impressively in recent years.

Page (below) and his players needed that support in a testing opening period, in which they chased the ball and were pegged back in their own half, as the US controlled possession and dictated the tempo of the game. When the US deservedly went ahead in the 36th minute, through a superbly-taken goal by Timothy Weah, there seemed no way back for Wales, whose best hope was to score from the rare setpieces they managed to conjure.

The emergence of 6ft 5in striker Kieffer Moore for the second half gave Wales more balance and their fans finally something to cheer about, his physical presence and clever movement causing the US problems for the first time.

Although Wales lacked the energy, enterprise and ebullience of their younger opponents, there is always a chance with Bale on the pitch, the forward drawing a foul from US defender Walker Zimmerman and making no mistake from the spot.

Bale’s penalty sent the Wales fans behind the goal into delirium (top), their loyal support rewarded by a point secured by sheer force of collective will as much as anything else.

WALES’ history boys roared back from a goal down to secure a point in their first World Cup finals clash for 64 years thanks to Gareth Bale’s late penalty.

And if there was a title for the performance it should be ‘Viva Gareth Bale’ which the Red Wall belted out after watching their hero level with just eight minutes remaining.

The Dragons’ record scorer and captain had cut an isolated and frustrated figure in the first-half as they failed to register a shot.

Timothy Weah deservedly put the USA ahead in the 36th minute after a lightning quick break and clever pass by Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic. But

Wales boss Rob Page, who opted not to start giant targetman Kieffer Moore, sparked a big turnaround in fortunes by bringing o n the Bournemouth man for the second-half.

And almost inevitably it was Bale who was once again his nation’s saviour after being fouled by Walker Zimmerman and converting the 82ndminute penalty.

No country had waited as long between a first and second

World Cup appearance than Wales. So their lame first-half was a major shock and disappointment.

Without Joe Allen, who was not fit enough after injuring his hamstring in September with Swansea, Wales failed to get much possession as USA dominated the early stages.

Keeper Wayne Hennessey, preferred to Danny Ward, was forced into a ninth-minute save when Joe Rodon headed Weah’s cross straight at his own keeper.

Then Norwich striker Josh Sargent headed wide moments later at the back post.

With Bale subdued early on, Wales were forced firmly on to the back foot. They initially limited USA to shots from distance including a 30-yard effort from Sergino Dest.

But the Americans gradually began to stretch Wales more and more.

Pulisic instigated the move that led to their opener. Sargent’s header released the Chelsea ace and he cleverly picked out Weah to send the striker clear on goal.

The Lille ace stayed calm as he flicked a right-foot effort past Hennessey as the keeper rushed out.

It was no more than the USA merited amid an awful half for Wales, which included a booking for Bale.

Page was desperate to get to half-time to make a change when he brought on Moore for the ineffective Dan James.

And the striker’s presence and hold-up play enabled the Welsh to enjoy more possession and get up the pitch.

They finally tested keeper Matt Turner in the 65th minute when Ben Davies flung himself at a header

which the Arsenal back-up gloveman tipped over.

From the resulting corner, Moore climbed the highest (above) but headed over when he should have hit the target.

Page then dispensed with caution, taking off defender Neco Williams to throw on forward Brennan Johnson.

The Nottingham Forest ace played a role in the leveller with a move down the right which led to Zimmerman clumsily going through the back of Bale for a penalty.

Wales’ talisman showed no nerves as he smashed the spotkick with his left-foot high into the corner for his 41st international goal in front of the Welsh fans – although Turner (right) went the right way.

Johnson then might have won it but shot straight at Turner.

Now Wales must get their performance right from the start for

Friday’s early matinee against Iran, with victory likely to give them a great chance of reaching

the last 16.

WE BELIEVE Bale and Moore helped drag Wales back into a match that looked lost