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The USA kicked off World Cup action on Monday in a matchup with Wales. The match ended in a 1-1 draw as both teams took home a point towards their advancement in group play.
It was a game that was largely controlled by the US team, at least in the early goings. The USMNT jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Tim Weah goal in the 36th minute. The Welsh team stormed back with a vengeance in the second half of play, culminating with a late goal on a Gareth Bale penalty kick in the 82nd minute to even the scoring.
The final 20 minutes of play would wind down with neither team finding the back of the net, resulting in a tie. The final numbers saw the US control the ball for 59% of the action while recording six shots (one on goal). Wales launched seven shots (three on goal) while holding possession for 41% of the game.
The match wound up being an exciting one, with the two foes going back and forth in an attempt to land a win. Unfortunately, many on the US side are upset for some cunning (or strategic) tactics used at the end of play.
Many on social media are accusing Wales of faking injuries late in the game.
Are you really allowed to just fake injuries in order to run out the clock (ie what Wales has done all of extra time)?
— Jimbo (UConn ((Basketball)) 35-3) (@jubfootclim) November 21, 2022
After evening up the score, we saw a number of Welsh players fall to the ground with injury over the final minutes of play. Folks on social media are accusing the team of faking those setbacks in order to burn clock and end the game in a tie.
Many on Twitter called Wales out for the plethora of injuries. Some noted that the team needed an Oscar for the acting performance.
Team Wales deserves an Oscar for these “injury” performances
— Suzie Hunter ⚾️ (@TheSuzieHunter) November 21, 2022
Others compared it to SEC football.
Am I watching Wales football or Ole Miss football faking injuries out there?
— kenny (@Kony_Stark_) November 21, 2022
Hopefully, those players are able to quickly recover from the multitude of setbacks in time for their next matchup.
hope the Wales players are okay from their 70000 injuries
— Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats) November 21, 2022
Like it or not, the tactic worked as neither team notched a goal in the extra time period. It’s a frustrating result for a US team that held a lead up until the wee minutes of regulation. They’ll brush it off and get set for a meeting with England on Friday.
Related: Interesting trend shows that stoppage times are on the rise in 2022 World Cup