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Bale happy to step up when Wales needed him with historic goal

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Gareth Bale

Mueez Ajao

– Gareth Bale said he had “no doubts” about taking the penalty which brought Wales’ first World Cup goal since 1958 in their 1-1 draw with the USA.

– Timothy Weah’s calm finish looked set to give the US victory until Bale was fouled by Walker Zimmerman and stepped up to score the 82nd-minute penalty.

– Captain Bale told ITV: “Yeah, [it was] always [going to be] me. No doubts in my head. I feel like I have to step up and I’m happy to do so.”

Also Read: Superb Bale salvages point for Wales against USA

– Wales play Iran next up on Friday.

– Boss Rob Page said “once against it’s all about Bale” after the Los Angeles FC forward’s 41st international goal.

– When asked if Bale was always going to take the penalty, he told ITV: “A million percent. He’s never let us down.”

– Wales were deservedly behind at half-time in Doha through Weah’s 36th-minute opener, but improved after bringing on target man Kieffer Moore for Daniel James at the break.

– “To go a goal behind against a good team was similar to Switzerland at Euro 2020 [a 1-1 draw in their opening game],” added Page.

– “We showed character and determination to come back. It was important not to lose the first game. Credit to the lads for the shift they put in.

– “That [change up front] was nothing about Dan. It just suited Kieffer to get us up the pitch. We couldn’t play through their press. It made a big difference.”

– Bale said: “It was not a good first half. They played really well and we played poorly.

– “We were torn up by the gaffer at half-time and changed a few things. The boys came out fighting and battling. We looked like we were going to win from the start of the second half.

– “It was a great point from where we were. We showed character, we go again.”

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