Turkiye defeated hosts the United States 3-2 at Los Angeles Stadium in the final Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Having already been eliminated from the group after losses to Paraguay and Australia, Turkiye ended the tournament with a win.
The US, who had already secured top spot in the group and made nine changes to their starting lineup ahead of their round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, started the match swiftly. In the third minute, Auston Trusty fired a left-footed shot from a corner to put the hosts ahead 1-0. The goal was the first for the Celtic defender in international football and became the second-fastest goal in US World Cup history.
Turkiye's goal drought in the tournament ended in the 10th minute. Real Madrid star Arda Guler neatly skipped past Mark McKenzie and volleyed in a cross from Baris Alper Yilmaz on the right flank to make it 1-1, scoring his first World Cup goal.
US goal disallowed for offside
McKenzie thought he had put the US back in front by turning in the rebound from a saved Ricardo Pepi shot, but the goal was disallowed for offside. In the 31st minute, Eren Elmali, set up by a pass from Arda Guler, cut the ball back from the left byline to find Baris Alper Yilmaz, whose composed finish made it 2-1.
Pulisic enters, Berhalter equalizes
The US started the second half strongly, and in the 49th minute Sebastian Berhalter fired a fierce, accurate shot from outside the penalty area to level the score at 2-2. Manager Mauricio Pochettino introduced star player Christian Pulisic, who had recovered from an injury, in the 60th minute. 'Captain America' Pulisic came close twice after entering the game but had his shots blocked.
Kaan Ayhan scores winner in stoppage time
Turkiye came close to scoring in the 72nd minute when Kenan Yildiz's shot flew just wide, but in stoppage time defender Kaan Ayhan fired the ball into the net from close range to decide the match at 3-2. With this result, Turkiye ended the tournament with a win, while the US suffered their first defeat before the round of 32.
