The United States men’s national team opened the 2022 World Cup in frustrating fashion Monday after kicking off group play with a 1–1 draw against Wales in Qatar.
After the U.S. took an early lead on a Tim Weah goal 36 minutes in, Wales eventually evened the score with a Gareth Bale penalty kick in the 82nd minute after defender Walker Zimmerman fouled the Welsh star on a hard tackle. The pivotal moment ultimately proved to be one of the day’s biggest plays, but according to USMNT defender Antonee Robinson, a missed call on the sequence prior to the penalty could’ve led to a much different result.
The play in question came around the 79:30 mark, when Robinson and Wales defender Brennan Johnson jockeyed for the ball near the end line. After narrowly keeping the ball in play, Johnson attempted to do so again as the ball rolled toward the sideline, prompting Robinson to throw his arm up to signal out of bounds.
