Kaan Ayhan scored the winner late in stoppage time as Turkiye handed the US their first defeat of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Printed On 26 Jun 2026
Turkiye beat a closely modified United States 3-2 with a late Kaan Ayhan winner in an action-packed dead-rubber conflict that gave the 2026 World Cup cohosts their sternest take a look at up to now forward of the knockout rounds.
Already topped the Group D winners, the US arrived in Los Angeles searching for to increase an ideal begin with a 3rd win, however with greater than a watch on subsequent Wednesday’s last-32 meeting in opposition to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Advisable Tales
checklist of 4 objectsfinish of checklist
For Turkiye, already eradicated and with out even a aim after disastrous losses to Paraguay and Australia, the one goal was to revive some delight.
Regardless of the low stakes and considerably reshuffled lineups for each groups, a packed Los Angeles Stadium was in a deafening temper.
For the third sport working, the US acquired off to a dream begin. Certainly one of 9 adjustments, backup centre-back Auston Trusty, was unmarked on the far put up from a US nook, given time to cushion the ball together with his left foot, then blast it residence.
It was the Celtic defender’s first worldwide aim, and – at just below three minutes – the second-fastest by the US at a World Cup.
However Turkiye didn’t give up. Having not scored in 62 efforts throughout their first two video games, it was the 63rd time fortunate for the Turks, and their star man, Arda Guler.
The Actual Madrid ahead duped Mark McKenzie with a intelligent dummy, permitting the ball to run down the proper flank to Baris Alper Yilmaz.
Yilmaz crossed it again to Guler, who smashed it previous Matt Turner to equalise within the tenth minute.
With Brad Pitt and Edward Norton among the many Hollywood crowd, the sport threatened to develop into a struggle membership, as Turkiye’s bench rushed the sector to protest a foul by the combative Sebastian Berhalter, who earned a yellow.
The Individuals thought that they had restored the lead, with McKenzie the second US centre-back to place the ball within the internet. However his sharp response to Ricardo Pepi’s saved shot was dominated offside.
Within the thirty first minute, the US discovered themselves behind for the primary time this World Cup.
Guler noticed Eren Elmali’s overlapping run, feeding it to the wing-back, who minimize the ball again from the left byline to Yilmaz, who steered it past the keeper.
‘Captain America’ returns
The half-time break proved the proper tonic for the US. Within the forty ninth minute, they have been again degree from a protracted throw by McKenzie.
The ball was cleared by Turkiye solely so far as Berhalter, who did effectively to smash his shot low into the underside nook.
The group erupted once more simply earlier than the hour mark as Mauricio Pochettino despatched on Christian Pulisic, undoubtedly the US’s greatest star, who will shoulder a lot of the cohosts’ hopes of a deep run into the knockouts.
Nicknamed “Captain America”, Pulisic earned his personal spherical of “USA” chants, having not appeared since aggravating an harm within the first half of the opening win in opposition to Paraguay two weeks in the past.
Pulisic instantly appeared full of life, twice having his effort blocked from shut vary after darting runs from the left. He knew much less a few ball that looped off his shin onto the put up.
Turkiye started to knock on the door once more. A Yildiz effort curled inches large within the 72nd minute.
And deep into stoppage time, Ayhan spoiled the US occasion, slamming the ball residence from shut vary.
Turkiye have been jubilant, whereas the American gamers clustered in a circle after the ultimate whistle, seemingly decided to not let the intestine punch spoil a marketing campaign that had been off to a flying begin.
