Turkiye secured a 3-2 victory over the United States in a recent World Cup 2026 match, with Kaan Ayhan scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. The match, played in Los Angeles, saw both teams make significant changes to their lineups. For the US, already confirmed as Group D winners, the game served as a final preparation before their upcoming last-32 fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Turkiye, having already been eliminated from the tournament, aimed to regain some pride after earlier losses to Paraguay and Australia.
The atmosphere at Los Angeles Stadium was described as deafening, despite the low stakes for both sides. The US began strongly, with Auston Trusty, a backup centre-back, scoring his first international goal early in the match. Trusty, who plays for Celtic, found the net from a US corner, cushioning the ball with his left foot before striking it home. This goal was noted as the second-fastest by the US in a World Cup.
Match Highlights and Key Players
Turkiye responded quickly, with their star player, Arda Guler, equalising in the 10th minute. Guler, a Real Madrid forward, skillfully evaded Mark McKenzie and passed to Baris Alper Yilmaz, who then crossed it back for Guler to score past Matt Turner. This marked Turkiye’s first goal of the tournament after failing to score in their previous two matches.
The game saw intense moments, including a protest from Turkiye’s bench after a foul by Sebastian Berhalter, who received a yellow card. The US briefly thought they had reclaimed the lead when McKenzie scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Turkiye then took the lead for the first time in the 31st minute. Guler initiated the play, passing to Eren Elmali, who cut the ball back from the left byline to Yilmaz, who then scored.
At half-time, the US made adjustments, and in the 49th minute, they drew level again. A long throw from McKenzie was cleared by Turkiye only as far as Berhalter, who struck a low shot into the bottom corner. The crowd’s excitement grew further when Christian Pulisic, nicknamed “Captain America,” entered the game just before the hour mark. Pulisic, who had been out since aggravating an injury in the opening match against Paraguay, immediately showed his impact, creating several chances.
Pulisic’s return was met with chants of “USA” from the fans, highlighting his importance to the team’s aspirations for a deep run in the knockout stages. He demonstrated his liveliness by having two shots blocked from close range and also saw a ball loop off his shin onto the post. Turkiye continued to press, with a shot from Yildiz curling just wide in the 72nd minute.
Stoppage-Time Decider and Team Reactions
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when Ayhan scored, securing the victory for Turkiye. This late goal led to jubilant celebrations from the Turkiye team, while the American players gathered in a circle after the final whistle, seemingly determined to remain focused on their campaign despite the loss. The US had been in possession during the final minutes, with a shot from Ricardo Pepi blocked, and a handball called against him in a controversial decision.
During the match, Auston Trusty sustained an injury, which forced him off the field, leaving the US to play with 10 men against 11 for a period. There were no further substitutions available for the US at that point. Weston McKennie, who had started all three group games for the US, was substituted late in the game, with Malik Tillman taking his place and the captain’s armband going to Pulisic.
Despite the loss, some observers noted positive aspects for the US, including the return of Pulisic and the team’s overall effort. The match was described as a stern test for the US ahead of the knockout rounds, providing valuable experience for a heavily changed squad. The US team will now look ahead to their last-32 encounter against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Source: theguardian.com
As News-UK's Sports News Writer, Oscar Pennington reports on rugby union, golf and boxing for readers across the country. He built a reputation for sharp explainer pieces on regional sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Oscar lives in Nottingham, where he follows the pro golf tour and amateur boxing. “Context is what turns a result into a story.”
