Welcome to Sportstar’s live blog of the USA vs Wales FIFA World Cup 2022 match being played at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar.
Did you know?
Since 1966, Pulisic is the 15th different player for the United States to provide an assist in the FIFA World Cup. Only two US players provided more in the competition: Graham Zusi (also the only one to provided more in a single edition – 2, both in 2014) and Tab Ramos (2).
64’ Double chance for Wales!
Ben Davies heads the ball at the end of a set-piece, forcing a fantastic reflex save by Matt Turner and the corner that follow has Nico Williams heading the ball just over the net.
61’
Appeal for a free kick? Pulisic gets a gorgeous cross from the right by McKennie, but Wales intercepts on time to deny a chance for the Chelsea forward. Pulisic goes to the ground appealing for a foul, but the referee is not intersted.
60’
Some record for Berhalter this! According to Opta, for the first time since 1966 (27 World Cup matches), the USMNT haven’t conceded a shot on target in the first-half. Wales had just two off-target shots in the opening half
55’
Wales goes on another attack, this time Nico Williams barges into the final third, beats his marker, Dest, and crosses to his right for Bale, but Ream intercepts and clears the ball out of the box and danger.
54’
Adams tries start an attack for the US with a throw, but Wales gets the ball to its feet and attacks against the run-of play. However, Nico Williams is dispossessed by McKennie as Berhalter’s side keeps its defence in check.
51’
Yellow Card! Tim Ream gets the fifth yellow card of the match after a challenge on Gareth Bale and two of the four of the United States backline are under caution now.
Second half begins!
Rob Page looks for more options in his arsenal against a counter attacking USA side and thus, brings on Keiffer Moore to replace Daniel James in the front.
Half-Time! USA 1-0 Wales
A late goal by Tim Weah following a pass from Pulisic keeps the United States ahead at the half-way mark at Al Rayyan. Gareth Bale, Wales’ captain would be frustrated to go into the tunnel, trailing and with a yellow card to his name.
40’
Yellow Card! Gareth Bale tries to get the ball from Musah, but his challenge from behind gives the USA a free-kick and a yellow card for the former Real Madrid winger.
36’ GOAL! USA scores to take the lead
United States attacks on the counter with Pulisic carrying the ball from the midfield to the final third and passing to Timothy Weah, who finishes in style to take the lead.
34’
Mempham pushed Pulisic down in a rash foul and the referee, after a chat with the player, lets him play following just a verbal warning despite the US players appealing for a card.
32’
Just over half-an-hour of the game done and dusted and the United States has over two-third of possession and double the number of shots.
29’
Dest tries to build an attack with a solo run along the right flank and shoots, but his shot is just off-target as the USA continues to establish dominance against Bale’s Wales.
28’
Some hope for Wales as it attacks on the break. The ball moves from James to Wilson, who delivers a pass for Ramsey. But the former Arsenal man fails to take control of the ball to lose it for a USA throw-in.
24’
USA is pressing high up the pitch and has continued to do so since kick-off and this time, Anthony Robinson tracks back on time to deny Pulisic from getting to the ball in penalty box.
Ream and Sargent enjoy chance to shine!
Tim Ream and Josh Sargent will play their first international start of the year in the FIFA World Cup 2022. The only player to do so since 1998 with the United States of America was Herculez Gomez in 2010 vs Algeria. Push
19’
The USA tries to attack along the right flank, with Weah and McKennie combing for a good routine, but as red shirts surround them, Berhalter’s side switches play on the opposite flank and finally the play ends with a Wales goal kick.
Two yellow cards in two minutes!
Nico Williams fouled twice, first by Dest and then by McKennie and both were pretty rash challenges. As a result, the USA has two people in ten book within 15 minutes of the match.
Sergino Dest of the U.S. in action with Wales’ Neco Williams at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar.
| Photo Credit: REUTERS
9’ Chance! Almost an own goal
US attacks on the counter with Tim Weah crossing from the right, but Rodon gets to it and almost heads it into his own net. However, Hennessey makes a great reflex save and Sargent heads it on the follow-up after a cross from the left.
This hits the bar. The USA continue to attack, but no goals to show for, so far.
8’
The United States has looked the better team so far in the contest, enjoying more possession, creating more chances and asking more questions. But Bale and Wales have shown its punishing prowess against Ukraine in the play-off, something Rob Page will hope from his side tonight again.
4’
USA continues to march up the pitch and soon gets a corner kick after the red shirts give away the first corner kick of the night. Pulisic takes it, but Wales clears it with a calm header.
2’
Free Kick! Rodon fouls Pulisic in a promising situation and USA gets a chance to hurt early. But Pulisic’s free-kick is cleared by Ramsey.
1’
Sergino Dest tries to hold control for Berhalter’s side with back passes as the team build slowly up the pitch. Dest and McKennie pair up for an attack from the midfield, but Wales forces a throw in to get back control of the ball.
Kick-off!
Wales, in red starts from right to left, while the United States of America, in white, starts from the other end. Bale, James and Wilson complete the front three of the Dragons.
Minutes to kick-off!
The players walk out of the tunnel and we are almost ready to go. The red mist of the Welsh team resonates from Cardiff to Doha as the boys in red embrace the field. The United States, white, walk out, eyeing an important beginning in their World Cup campaign as well.
Jimmy Murphy’s boy became men in the World Cup 64 years ago. This time, it is the time of a new era, a new generation that sings its national anthem aloud in front of passionate fans of the game. Let the match, the contest and the return to the biggest stage of international football begin.
12:01 am: What time is US versus?
The wait for the World Cup clash between Wales and USA will end in just over half-an-hour, with the kick-off set for 30 minutes from now.
12:01 am: USA vs Wales Head-to Head
11:45 pm: USA vs Wales form guide
The USA, after securing qualification, defeated Morocco and Grenada and earned a draw with Uruguay.
However, a CONCACAF Nations League draw in El Salvador, as well as losses to Japan and a draw with Saudi Arabia, have unnerved Berhalter’s side.
In four of its last seven tournament appearances, the United States has advanced to the knockout round, but in its previous nine matches against European opponents, it has failed to do so.
If it wants to advance this time, it will need to break that streak by having two UEFA nations in its group.
Wales’ performance leading up to the finals does not inspire much hope either; it has not triumphed since beating Ukraine 1-0 in the playoffs to secure its spot in Qatar.
Rob Page’s team only earned one point in its most recent Nations League campaign—a 1-1 draw with Belgium—and were thus demoted from League A after suffering home and away losses to Poland and the Netherlands.
11:35 pm: Bale starts for Wales. Gareth Bale, the Welsh captain, who played a crucial role in steering his country to the World Cup after 64 years, starts in the World Cup opener.
Starting lineups:
USA: Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Long, A Robinson, Musah, McKennie, Adams (C), Tim Weah, Tim Reah, Pulisic
Wales: Hennessey; Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies, C Roberts, C Mepham, N Williams, Wilson, Ramsey; Bale (C), James
After missing the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals after a loss to Trinidad & Tobago in its final qualifier, the USA is back in the 22nd edition of the tournament, in Qatar.
The top four countries this time around were separated by just three points in a very difficult qualifying segment, but the USA was able to secure one of the three automatic slots, slightly ahead of Costa Rica.
Leaving out a few players who have been a part of the group consistently for the past few years has raised some eyebrows under coach Gregg Berhalter, but after the team’s performance had dipped a bit in the lead-up to the finals, a change was inevitable.
USA vs Wales predicted lineups:
USA: Turner; Dest, Zimmerman, Long, A Robinson; Aaronson, McKennie, Adams; Reyna, Ferreira, Pulisic
Wales: Hennessey; Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies; C Roberts, N Williams, Allen, Ramsey; Bale, James; Moore
When is Team USA playing Wales in the 2022 World Cup?
Team USA is drawn in Group B, alongside Wales, Iran and England. It will start its World Cup 2022 against Wales on November 22 at 12:30 am, as per Indian Standard Time (IST)
When is Team USA playing Wales in the 2022 World Cup as per US time?
- ⦿
November 21 – USA vs Wales – 2 pm: Washington, DC time
The kick-off time in other parts of the USA are as follows:
- ⦿
1:00 pm: Chicago - ⦿
12:00 pm: Denver, Phoenix - ⦿
11:00 am: Los Angeles - ⦿
10:00 am: Anchorage - ⦿
9:00 am: Honolulu
How can I watch the USA vs Wales in the United States?
In the USA, FIFA World Cup will be telecast live on Fox, Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2, in English.
In Spanish, the Qatar 2022 World Cup will be available on Telemundo, Universo.
What streaming service will have the USA vs Wales match?
The World Cup 2022 will be live-streamed on the Fox Sports app, fuboTV, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Universo Now and Peacock Premium.
How to watch USA vs Wales free in the United States?
FIFA WorldCup 2022 fans can enjoy some World Cup games free on Peacock and also watch replays of every football game free on Tubi.
Tubi will be a good alternative for Americans who do not want to wake up early to watch the match and can enjoy full replays of the games after full-time.
How to watch USA vs Wales free in India?
The FIFA World Cup match between USA and Wales can be watched free of cost by all mobile operators on the Jio Cinema platform.
How to watch USA vs Wales in India?
The FIFA World Cup match between USA and Wales will be telecast live on Sports 18 and Sports 18 HD, in India.
