Turkiye beat United States 3-2 with late Ayhan goal
Kaan Ayhan scored in stoppage time as eliminated Turkiye handed the Group D-winning US its first loss of the 2026 World Cup.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Turkiye defeated the United States 3-2 in Los Angeles after Kaan Ayhan scored from close range in stoppage time, AFP reported. The result ended the World Cup cohost’s perfect Group D run before its last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina next Wednesday, according to AFP.
The match carried little effect on the standings: the US had already secured first place in the group, while Turkiye had already been knocked out after defeats to Paraguay and Australia, AFP reported. Both teams made major changes, but a packed Los Angeles Stadium still produced a loud setting for the final group game, according to AFP.
The US went ahead inside three minutes through Auston Trusty, one of nine changes to the American lineup, AFP reported. The Celtic defender controlled a corner at the far post and finished for his first international goal, the second-fastest US goal at a World Cup, according to AFP.
Turkiye answered in the 10th minute through Arda Guler, who had not scored at the tournament before the match, AFP reported. After allowing the ball to run to Baris Alper Yilmaz on the right, Guler received the return pass and fired past goalkeeper Matt Turner, according to AFP.
The US briefly thought it had regained the lead when Mark McKenzie followed up after Ricardo Pepi’s saved shot, but the effort was ruled out for offside, AFP reported. Turkiye then moved in front in the 31st minute, with Guler finding Eren Elmali on the overlap before Elmali cut the ball back for Yilmaz to score, according to AFP.
The United States drew level four minutes after halftime, AFP reported. McKenzie’s long throw was cleared only as far as Sebastian Berhalter, who drove a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-2, according to AFP.
Christian Pulisic entered before the hour mark, making his first appearance since aggravating an injury in the opening win over Paraguay two weeks earlier, AFP reported. The American forward, nicknamed “Captain America,” drew chants from the crowd and had two close-range efforts blocked after runs from the left, according to AFP.
Pulisic also saw the ball deflect off his shin and onto the post, while Turkiye threatened late when Kenan Yildiz curled a shot narrowly wide in the 72nd minute, AFP reported. The winner came deep in stoppage time, when Ayhan finished near goal to give Turkiye its first victory of the tournament, according to AFP.
AFP reported that Turkiye’s players celebrated the late goal, while the US squad gathered in a circle after the final whistle. The Americans now turn to the knockout round after a group stage that began with two wins and ended with their toughest test of the tournament so far, according to AFP.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.