Norwich City’s Josh Sargent helped the US get their World Cup campaign off to a positive start in a 1-1 draw against Wales on Monday night in Qatar.  

The Canaries’ attacker had a key role in the build up to Tim Weah’s 36th minute close range strike for the US in a Group B clash. 

But Welsh talisman Gareth Bale levelled from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute, after being upended by a rash tackle inside the area from Tim Ream. 

Sargent featured in a 74-minute shift on his first start for his country since September 2021, and went close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute with a far post header into the side netting, after Wayne Hennessey saved Weah’s deflected shot. 

But later in the half the City ace rolled Tottenham’s Joe Rodon for Christian Pulisic to burst forward and pick out Weah’s perfectly-timed run to slot past Hennessey. 

The US bossed the opening period of this Group B duel, but Kieffer Moore’s introduction at the interval triggered a storming response from the Welsh. 

The towering Bournemouth frontman headed a corner over, after jumping behind Sargent, a minute after Arsenal’s Matt Turner had palmed away Ben Davies’ diving header. 

But Welsh captain Bale equalised late on from the spot in his country’s first World Cup finals appearance since 1958. 

Sargent’s US now face England on Friday, after the Three Lions hammered Iran 6-2 earlier in the day. 

The 22-year-old is the eighth City player to represent his country at a World Cup finals.