England had earlier kicked Group B off in Doha with a 6-2 thumping over Iran, meaning both sides knew a win would see them go joint-top of the group heading into Friday’s set of fixtures.

Pulisic, earning his 53rd cap for his nation at the age of 24, stuck naturally to his wide left position, getting the better of Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham on numerous occasions.

The breakthrough for the USA came on the 36-minute mark, as the Chelsea forward burst through the lines to slot in Lille’s Timothy Weah, who finished coolly. It was the USA’s first World Cup goal since 2014.

Pulisic continued to be a thorn in the side of the Welsh defence and right-back Mepham was eventually booked by the Qatari official for a cynical pull back on the Blues winger, after twice pulling his shirt.

In truth, Wales were poor in the first 45 minutes but came out fighting second half, growing into the game as the heat began to sap the legs of Gregg Berhalter's side.

Gareth Bale netted his 41st goal for Wales from the penalty spot just eight minutes from time, after Wales’s main man was fouled in the box. Bale smashed the ball to Arsenal’s Matt Turner’s left and levelled the scores.

Ethan Ampadu has been a regular since making his Wales debut in 2017 and made his 38th cap in Qatar. He started the first game in his second major international tournament in central midfield, alongside the ever-experienced Aaron Ramsey.

In stoppage time, Ampadu, who is on loan at Serie A side Spezia, made a crunching tackle to regain possession for his side, a moment which was the epitome of putting your body on the line for your country.

He subsequently picked up an injury, which appeared to be an impact injury rather than muscle. He was substituted late on as the time approached midnight in Qatar. It was Wales’s first World Cup point since 1958.

Earlier on Monday, Senegal and Netherlands went head-to-head in Doha, with the African side led out by Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly. He and Edouard Mendy played the full 90 minutes at the Al Thumama Stadium in the Qatari capital.

Senegal, the highest-ranked African side in FIFA’s rankings, started the game on the front foot, with confidence high following their maiden triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

It was a slow start in Doha and despite the obvious absence of star player Sadio Mane, tricky Watford winger Ismaila Sarr stepped up to provide a spark, adding the attacking quality off the left flank.

The Netherlands, sporting their famous orange from head to toe, lacked quality in the final third throughout, but did make the breakthrough with their first shot on target.

Cody Gakpo leaped the highest as a cross was swung in from the left, beating Edou Mendy to the lofted ball and glancing into the net. It was the PSV man’s fourth goal on his 10th cap.

Davy Klaassen then added a second for Louis van Gaal’s side, in the eighth minute of stoppage time, netting after Mendy had stopped an initial shot.

It means Senegal remain on zero points after the first round of Group A fixtures. They face Qatar next, on Friday.

Pulisic’s USA face England on Friday, while Wales play Iran.