World Cup 2026: Turkiye beat US 3-2 with stoppage-time goal in dead rubber | World Cup 2026 News
Turkiye Defeats USA 3-2 in Thrilling Finish at 2026 World Cup
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LOS ANGELES — Kaan Ayhan scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, leading Turkiye to a 3-2 victory over the United States in a Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 25. This match marked the U.S.’s first defeat of the tournament.
The United States, having already secured the top spot in Group D, entered the Los Angeles Stadium seeking a third consecutive win, while also looking ahead to their upcoming knockout stage game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For Turkiye, the match presented a chance to restore pride after being eliminated and failing to score in their first two games against Paraguay and Australia.
Despite the low stakes, the stands were packed, with fans creating an electric atmosphere. The U.S. took an early lead when backup center-back Auston Trusty scored just under three minutes into the match, marking his first international goal and the second-fastest goal for the U.S. in World Cup history.
Turkiye responded quickly. Arda Guler, the standout forward for Turkiye, executed a clever play, allowing Baris Alper Yilmaz to send a cross back to Guler, who found the net in the 10th minute, equalizing the score.
As the match progressed, tensions flared, illustrated by a confrontation that drew Turkiye’s bench onto the field following a foul by U.S. midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who received a yellow card. The U.S. thought they had reclaimed the lead, but a goal by McKenzie was ruled offside.
In the 31st minute, Turkiye surged ahead. Guler set up Eren Elmali, who assisted Yilmaz, scoring to put Turkiye 2-1 ahead.
The U.S. equalized shortly after halftime with a long throw from McKenzie, which led to Berhalter scoring in the 49th minute, igniting the crowd once more. Christian Pulisic, the U.S. star forward known as “Captain America,” made his return from injury, energizing the team.
Though the U.S. created several scoring opportunities, including Pulisic’s close attempts, Turkiye continued to apply pressure. In a dramatic conclusion, Ayhan secured the victory for Turkiye with a close-range goal deep into stoppage time.
Following the match, Turkiye celebrated their hard-fought victory while the U.S. players regrouped, focusing on their future in the tournament.
This defeat serves as a wake-up call for the U.S. as they prepare for the knockout rounds, striving to maintain momentum despite the setback.
