Gareth Bale has hailed Wales’ character after his side fought back to earn a point against the USA in their group opener.
Wales were second best for much of the opening period against the United States, but improved after half-time to earn a draw. Timothy Weah opened the scoring with a fine finish, following a well-worked move that saw Christian Pulisic slide in the forward.
Bale scored Wales’ equaliser from the penalty spot – the nation’s first World Cup goal since 1958 – to rescue a point, after the Los Angeles FC forward had been brought down inside the penalty area.
The Wales captain was full of praise for his side, hailing the fighting spirit of his side who bounced back from a difficult start to earn a result.
“It was always going to be me. No doubts,” he told ITV. “I feel like I had to step up and I was happy to do so.
BAAAAAAAALE!!! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/NqQtxkfOEt
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 21, 2022
“In the first half they played well and we played poor. But the gaffer changed a few things around and the boys came out fighting like we always do. We showed character like we did at the Euros.
“From the second half our performance was fantastic so we will take a lot of confidence.
“I was a bit tired towards the end but we have to dig deep for our country, we always do.”
