Türkiye signed off their FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaign with a dramatic 3-2 win over USA in Group D, sealed by Kaan Ayhan’s 98th-minute winner at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday 25 June.
Already eliminated before kick-off, Türkiye still found a way to finish on a high, edging out Group D winners USA in a five-goal contest that swung repeatedly after an early American breakthrough and two equalisers.
The result mattered for both sides for different reasons: Türkiye ended a disappointing tournament with a statement win, while USA—who had already secured top spot—took a loss into the Round of 32 despite showing attacking threat and reaching a new scoring landmark at the finals.
Five-goal swing as Türkiye respond and regain control
USA struck first inside three minutes when Auston Trusty controlled a deep corner from Sebastian Berhalter and fired home a left-foot shot to make it 1-0.
Türkiye did not fold after the early setback. Seven minutes later, Arda Guler combined with Baris Yilmaz, breaking through the US defence before finishing calmly to level at 1-1. The goal also made Guler Türkiye’s youngest World Cup goalscorer.
With the US backline continuing to look vulnerable, Türkiye turned the match around just after the half-hour. Eren Elmali squared for Baris Yilmaz, who put Türkiye ahead 2-1 and silenced the crowd in Los Angeles.
USA responded quickly after the break. Three minutes into the second half, Sebastian Berhalter—already the provider for the opener—added a goal of his own, striking ferociously from the edge of the box to restore parity at 2-2.
Late drama decides it in stoppage time
With top spot already assured, USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino had made nine changes to the side that sealed qualification by beating Australia, giving fringe players an opportunity from the start. After the equaliser, Pochettino began introducing some of his stars in pursuit of a win.
Christian Pulisic was among those brought on, and the USA produced lively attacking play as they pushed for a winning goal. However, it was Türkiye who landed the decisive blow.
In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Kaan Ayhan scrambled home a late, late winner to make it 3-2, ensuring Türkiye took all three points despite having been eliminated from contention earlier in the group stage.
Key notes: Guler honoured, USA scoring record, and reaction
Arda Guler was named Superior Player of the Match after scoring and playing a central role in Türkiye’s response to going behind early.
Despite the defeat, the match added to USA’s scoring output at the tournament. With eight goals at the 2026 finals, this became the highest-scoring World Cup campaign in USA’s history, surpassing the record of seven set in 1930 and equalled in 2002.
Türkiye midfielder Orkun Kokcu said: “We’re not happy, but it was very important for us because we want to keep our name. We know that we have a team with a lot of quality and we wanted to show the world that we are better than this. For all of us, it’s the first World Cup – we have to take our lessons from this experience and work hard. For the next World Cups, we hope we can achieve more success. Our people back home deserve this because they support us everywhere we go.”
USA midfielder Weston McKennie said: “Türkiye were very clinical and finished their chances. The momentum will still be there for us, for sure [in the Round of 32 tie]. Everyone wants to go into the next game having won the previous game, but I think it’s going to motivate us even more. All 26 players we have on this roster can step up and the do the job. We believe in everyone on this roster and that everyone will step up and contribute to the team.”
In Group D, USA finished top with six points, while Türkiye ended fourth with three points after three matches.
