Wales at the World Cup: Held by USA, undone by Iran and outclassed by England

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Wales At The World Cup: Held By Usa, Undone By Iran And Outclassed By England
Wales captain Gareth Bale and his team-mates applaud the fans after their World Cup exit was confirmed by a 3-0 defeat to England on Tuesday, © PA Wire/PA Images
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By Phil Blanche, PA, Doha

Wales’ first World Cup for 64 years proved a disappointment as they exited at the first round stage.

Robert Page’s side scored one just goal in Qatar as they finished bottom of a group also containing England, Iran and the United States.

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Here, the PA news agency looks at how Wales’ sorry campaign unfolded.

Wales 1 United States 1 – November 21

USA v Wales – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group B – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Gareth Bale (second left) celebrates scoring Wales’ only goal of the 2022 World Cup against the United States (Nick Potts/PA)

Wales had not been on the World Cup finals stage since Pele settled a 1958 quarter-final in Brazil’s favour.

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It was a flat first-half show from Wales as the USA dominated and Timothy Weah’s clinical 36th-minute strike was the least the Americans deserved.

The half-time introduction of Kieffer Moore sparked Wales, who were far better after the break.

Wales won a point when Gareth Bale was brought down eight minutes from time and the captain got up to smash home his 41st international goal.

Wales 0 Iran 2 – November 25

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Wales v Iran – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group B – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Replacement goalkeeper Danny Ward is beaten by Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian in Wales’ 2-0 defeat (Mike Egerton/PA)

Wales’ World Cup came crashing down as Iran recovered from their opening 6-2 mauling to England.

Iran dominated and had a goal disallowed and twice hit a post before a dramatic finale at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off four minutes from time after rushing from his box and clattering into Iran forward Mehdi Taremi.

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Wales were left clinging on for a point, but Rouzbeh Cheshmi struck a beauty from 20 yards in the eighth minute of stoppage time and Ramin Rezaeian immediately rubbed salt into Welsh wounds.

Wales 0 England 3 – November 29

Wales v England – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group B – Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Marcus Rashford fires home England’s third goal in their 3-0 victory over Wales (Adam Davy/PA)

Wales needed to beat England for the first time in 38 years to stand any chance of making the knockout phase.

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But Wales managed only 35 per cent possession and one shot on target as England secured a seventh straight win in the fixture.

Bale did not reappear for the second period after a scoreless first half and England soon swept into a two-goal lead through Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden.

Rashford added a third before Wales players and staff took a final bow in front of their adoring supporters.

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