Turkey defeated the United States 3-2 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D final match on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Los Angeles Stadium, with Kaan Ayhan settling a five-goal thriller with a winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The defeat carried no cost for the co-hosts, however: the USA had already secured top spot in Group D and progressed to the Round of 32 regardless, while Turkey’s victory was only a consolation as they exited the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Turkey beat the USA 3-2 with Kaan Ayhan’s winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time (90+8′).
- The USA had already clinched top spot in Group D, so the defeat did not change their first-place finish.
- Auston Trusty (3′) and Sebastian Berhalter (49′) scored for the USA; Arda Güler (10′), Barış Alper Yılmaz (31′) and Ayhan replied for Turkey.
- The USA out-shot Turkey 18-9 but was undone by clinical Turkish finishing and a late defensive lapse.
- It was Turkey’s only win of the tournament, yet they still went out at the group stage; Christian Pulisic returned from a calf injury as a second-half substitute.
The Turkey vs USA matchup was shaped by what had come before it. The United States arrived having already won Group D thanks to victories over Paraguay and Australia, which allowed manager Mauricio Pochettino to rotate his side and manage the fitness of key players. Turkey, by contrast, had lost their opening two matches and needed a win simply to end their campaign on a positive note. That difference in urgency ran through a chaotic, entertaining contest.
How did Turkey snatch a stoppage-time win over the USA?
The United States could hardly have started better. Inside three minutes, Auston Trusty struck to put the co-hosts ahead and silence any early Turkish momentum. But the lead lasted only minutes, as Arda Güler levelled in the 10th minute to restore parity and settle Turkey into the game.
Turkey then turned the match on its head in the 31st minute, Barış Alper Yılmaz finishing to give his side a 2-1 half-time advantage. The rotated American lineup regrouped after the break and drew level in the 49th minute through Sebastian Berhalter, whose goal made it 2-2 and set up a tense finale. Christian Pulisic, returning from a calf injury, was introduced just before the hour to add attacking impetus.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Turkey found a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time. In the 98th minute, Güler opened up space before the ball worked its way to the back post, where Can Uzun’s cutback found Kaan Ayhan to slide home past Matt Turner. It was the final meaningful kick of the match, sparking wild Turkish celebrations even as the result left them eliminated.
What were the key statistics of the Turkey vs USA World Cup 2026 matchup?
The statistics told the story of a game the United States dominated territorially but failed to win. The Americans more than doubled Turkey’s shot count and edged possession, yet Turkey was ruthless in front of goal, converting a handful of clear openings into the decisive tally.
| Statistic | Turkey | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 47% | 53% |
| Total shots | 9 | 18 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 7 |
| Fouls committed | 13 | 13 |
The numbers underline Turkey’s clinical edge: every one of their three shots on target beat the goalkeeper, while the United States needed 18 attempts and seven shots on target to score twice. Goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır was kept busy throughout and produced several important saves to keep Turkey in the contest before Ayhan’s late intervention.
Who were the standout performers and starters for each side?
Arda Güler was Turkey’s creative heartbeat, scoring the equaliser and orchestrating the move that led to the winner, while Uğurcan Çakır’s shot-stopping kept his side level long enough to strike late. Kaan Ayhan’s stoppage-time goal made him the unlikely match-winner. For the United States, Sebastian Berhalter caught the eye with his equaliser and Auston Trusty took his early goal well, though a much-changed American side lacked its usual cutting edge in the final third.
Turkey Starting XI
- GK: Uğurcan Çakır
- Defenders: Zeki Çelik, Ozan Kabak, Abdülkerim Bardakçı
- Midfielders: Oğuz Aydın, Salih Özcan, Orkun Kökçü, Eren Elmalı
- Forwards: Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, Barış Alper Yılmaz
Turkey lined up in a 3-4-2-1 under Vincenzo Montella, with Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız supporting Barış Alper Yılmaz in attack. Freed from the pressure of qualification, Turkey played with attacking freedom and made their clear chances count, even as the United States controlled long spells of the game.
USA Starting XI
- GK: Matt Turner
- Defenders: Joseph Scally, Miles Robinson, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty
- Midfielders: Weston McKennie, Sebastian Berhalter, Giovanni Reyna
- Forwards: Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi, Timothy Weah
With qualification already assured, Pochettino made several changes to his 4-3-3, handing minutes to squad players and keeping the likes of Christian Pulisic on the bench initially. The reshaped side created plenty but could not find a winning goal, and the manager will hope the rotation pays off with fresher legs for the knockout rounds.
What does this result mean for the Group D standings in the World Cup 2026?
Despite the defeat, the United States finished top of Group D on six points, their earlier wins over Paraguay and Australia proving decisive. Turkey’s victory lifted them to three points but was not enough to progress; they finished bottom of the group and were eliminated, while Australia and Paraguay claimed the other two knockout places.
| Pos | Team | Played | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 3 | 6 | +4 |
| 2 | Australia | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 3 | Paraguay | 3 | 4 | -2 |
| 4 | Turkey | 3 | 3 | -2 |
Australia finished as runners-up on goal difference, with Paraguay advancing in third as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Turkey’s late win denied them nothing but pride, as their two opening defeats had already left them needing results elsewhere to survive.
What are the upcoming fixtures for both teams after this match?
The United States advanced to the Round of 32 as Group D winners, with their knockout opponent confirmed as Bosnia and Herzegovina once the group stage concluded. Pochettino’s decision to rest players in Los Angeles was made with that fixture firmly in mind, and the co-hosts will expect to be at full strength for their first knockout test on home soil.
Turkey’s tournament is over following their group-stage elimination. A first win of the competition offered a measure of consolation, but Vincenzo Montella’s side will reflect on the two early defeats that ultimately cost them a place in the knockout rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored in Turkey’s win over the USA?
Arda Güler (10′), Barış Alper Yılmaz (31′) and Kaan Ayhan (90+8′) scored for Turkey, while Auston Trusty (3′) and Sebastian Berhalter (49′) scored for the United States in a 3-2 result.
Did the USA still qualify despite losing to Turkey?
Yes. The United States had already secured top spot in Group D before this match, so the 3-2 defeat did not change their first-place finish or their place in the Round of 32.
When did Turkey score the winning goal?
Kaan Ayhan scored the winner in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time (the 98th minute), turning in a cutback from Can Uzun for the final meaningful kick of the match.
Was Christian Pulisic involved in the match?
Yes. Christian Pulisic returned from a calf injury as a second-half substitute, coming on just before the hour mark, though he could not help the much-changed United States side avoid defeat.
