USA 1-1 Wales: Super Eagles denied George Weah, but son makes World Cup impact for America

Timothy Weah, son of legendary Liberian striker George Weah, scored the US’ first objective of the 2022 FIFA World Cup of their 1-1 draw towards Wales on Monday night.

Weah raced by on objective to use a agency, first-time end to a scrumptious by move from Christian Pulisic simply previous the half-hour mark.

A late Gareth Bale penalty, nevertheless, earned Wales a share of the spoils contained in the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

Nonetheless, it was a landmark second for the 22-year-old Weah, who grew to become the primary United States worldwide participant born within the 2000s to attain on the World Cup.

Weah’s Nigerian connection

Tim Weah’s objective arrives simply over twenty years after his father, George Weah, was denied by Nigeria at his final try to look on the FIFA World Cup.

Thought-about one of many best footballers to ever come from the black continent, George Weah stays the one African to win the Ballon d’Or. The AC Milan nice can also be probably the most gifted gamers to by no means function on the World Cup. 

In 2002, although, Weah made a implausible ultimate push to satisfy a childhood imaginative and prescient of enjoying at soccer’s greatest competition.

As captain of the Liberian nationwide staff, Weah impressed the Lone Stars to succeed in the ultimate qualifying marketing campaign for the Mundial.

With solely the group winners reserving a ticket to Korea/Japan 2002, Liberia have been unlucky to be drawn with three former African champions in Sudan, Ghana, and Nigeria in addition to Sierra Leone.

However the Lone Star proved to be the staff to beat and pushed Nigeria all the way in which, ending second with 15 factors, one behind the eventual group winners.

A 2-0 victory in Nigeria and a slender 1-0 win away in Freetown had helped the Tremendous Eagles’ trigger in no small measure – dealing a deadly blow to George Weah’s dream.

Nigeria didn’t make it previous the group stage on the World Cup correct, nevertheless, with the Tremendous Eagles ending final in a gaggle that had England, Argentina, and Sweden.

On Monday night, although, the senior Weah, now Liberia’s president, would have been proud to see his son not solely play on the World Cup but in addition rating the essential objective that gave the US their first objective on the Mundial in eight years.

Earlier in the identical Group B, Nigerian descent Bukayo Saka impressed England to an exhilarating 6-2 overcome Iran.