Eliminated Turkey scored a 98th-minute winner to clinch a 3-2 victory over World Cup co-hosts USA in Group D

2026 World Cup

3-2

Match Report

Eliminated Turkey scored a 98th-minute winner to clinch a 3-2 victory over World Cup co-hosts USA in Group D.

Turkey's tournament exit was already confirmed after back-to-back losses to Australia and Paraguay in which they failed to score from 62 shots but they restored some pride thanks to substitute Kaan Ayhan's close-range winner in the final seconds in Los Angeles.

USA, already assured of a round of 32 spot as group winners, went in front in the third minute when Auston Trusty scored from a corner but Turkey fought back with goals from Arda Guler and Baris Yilmaz as Vincenzo Montella's side belatedly found some cutting edge.

Sebastian Berhalter hauled USA level with a low finish from the edge of the box straight after half-time and there was also a second-half substitute appearance from talisman Christian Pulisic, who struck the post on his return from a calf injury.

It was Turkey, though, who would have the final say as Ayhan forced a cross-shot from fellow substitute Can Uzun over the line to condemn Mauricio Pochettino's side to a first defeat of the tournament before they head into the knockout stage.

Line-ups

Turkey XI: Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Zeki Çelik, Uğurcan Çakır, Özcan, Ozan Kabak, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Oğuz Aydın, Orkun Kökçü, Eren Elmalı, Güler, Yıldız

Subs: Mert Günok, Calhanoglu, Kaan Ayhan, İrfan Can Kahveci, Samet Akaydin, Soyuncu, Demiral, Altay Bayındır, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Akgun, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Mert Müldür, İsmail Yüksek, Can Uzun, Deniz Gül

United States XI: Matt Turner, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, McKennie, Timothy Weah, Joe Scally, Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi, Sebastian Berhalter

Subs: Tim Ream, Álex Zendejas, Adams, Haji Wright, Antonee Robinson, Pulisic, Matt Freese, Dest, Chris Richards, Balogun, Malik Tillman, Chris Brady, Alex Freeman, Max Arfsten