Gareth Bale is known as the joker in Wales' camp but there was no fooling around from their skipper in the nation's first World Cup game in 64 years.
A camera followed Bale pre-match into Wales' dressing room, out on to the pitch for the warm up and in the tunnel before their USA game. Throughout, Bale was all business as he walked around the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium with a serious poker face.
Wales at their first World Cup since 1958 might be a jolly for some but for ambitious, patriotic Bale it is no laughing matter. No one has done more than Bale to get Wales to Qatar and no-one seems more determined than him to ensure they make the most of the historic opportunity after successive Euros.
So with Rob Page's men on the ropes at 1-0 down against USA at half-time, Harry Wilson admits they needed their talisman to "drag Wales through".
Wales' captain and record scorer Bale delivered for his country again after the break with his 41st international goal in their opening 1-1 draw. He stepped up to win and converted a late penalty to earn a vital point in Group B.
Bale, 33, is in the twilight of his career after moving to America this summer with nothing more to prove in club football after winning the Champions League five times with Real Madrid.
But on the world stage in international football it is a different story and Bale, who has 109 caps, appears clearly fired up to add another glorious chapter this month to his illustrious career.
Fulham flyer Wilson reflected: “He deserves to be on this stage for what he has done at club level and also what he has done for our country as well. He drags us through tough games and got his goal. His performances over the years, I think he deserves to play at the World Cup on the world stage before he retires.”
Bale won the spot-kick when he was brought down by defender Walker Zimmerman before picking himself up to slam a left-foot effort into the corner eight minutes from time.
US keeper Matt Turner got a hand to it but team-mates were confident Bale would bury it. Wales shot-stopper Wayne Hennessey: “Gareth has stepped up again – he’s been superb for us and we know what he does on big stages.
“With his record and what he can do – he steps up on the big occasions. Fair play to him, it was a fantastic penalty. We know him, he’s got a smile on his face and he’s performing well.”
Bale will lead Wales to face Iran next on Friday in their second group game with Wilson expecting a reaction after Carlos Queiroz’s side were battered 6-2 by England.
Wilson added: “I think it is important in tournaments that you don’t lose your first game and that sets us up nicely going into the next game. It will be up to us to make sure we are on form to try and get the three points.
“It was a difficult result for Iran, England was always going to be difficult for them. I think they will be looking for a reaction and I think that is what we are going to see.” As well as most likely another big performance from Bale.
