‘TACTICAL SWITCH BY PAGE WAS CRUCIAL’

GARETH BALE revealed a “few tactical changes” by manager Rob Page helped Wales find their true character in the dramatic come-from-behind draw with the USA last night.

The 33-year-old was once again the star on Wales’ emotional World Cup return after 64 years as his penalty eight minutes from time sealed a point in Group B.

Bale, who has hardly played this season for Los Angeles FC, showed he remains the man for the big occasion and then paid tribute to his side’s character.

“It’s an amazing feeling to get off the mark personally, but we would much rather have had the three points,” he said.

“It was a great team performance, especially in the second half, when we showed that real grit and determination to get back into the game.

“We’re proud of that. We have things to build on and things to work on. We made a few tactical changes at half-time.

“It was nothing that Dan James did wrong, it was just that we needed different personnel and a slightly different way of playing.

“It was a fantastic decision from the manager yet again, it shows how class

he is, and credit to the boys for digging deep and showing our character.”

Wales were outplayed in the first half and went behind to a 36th-minute goal from US forward Timothy Weah.

Page (above) brought on Kieffer Moore for James at half-time, the switch giving Wales a way back into the game, with Bale applying the finishing touch with his spot-kick.

The manager paid tribute to his players for finding a way to salvage a point and reserved special praise for sub Moore, who changed the game when he came on.

“We were a goal behind against a good team like the USA, but we showed character. Credit to the lads for coming back and getting a point,” said Page.

“The game suited Kieffer to get us up the pitch. We played over the top into Kieffer – it was a tactical decision.

“When we got the penalty we knew who was taking it, one million percent. He’s never let us down, has he? It’s all about Bale and rightly so.

“Before Friday, when we play Iran, the medical team will have work to do. We have players not playing week in, week out, so they are cramping up.

“It was 64 years but worth the wait. To see the red wall celebrating was incredible.”

The draw means England will qualify for the last 16 with a win over the US on

Friday.