FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D: Turkiye vs USA Match Report – Kaan Ayhan’s 98th-Minute Winner Seals 3-2 Thriller for Turkiye Against USA

The United States ended their World Cup group-stage campaign with six points after conceding a last-gasp winner to Turkiye substitute Kaan Ayhan. The 98th-minute strike denied the USA an unbeaten World Cup Group D campaign, earning Turkiye a thrilling 3-2 win at a packed SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

With top spot in the group already secured, Mauricio Pochettino made almost wholesale changes to the USA lineup. Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi were the only survivors from the side that previously beat Australia. Despite the rotated squad, it was a proper group-stage rollercoaster—the kind that makes neutral fans stay in their seats until the final whistle.

Match Overview

First Half: A Frantic Start in Inglewood

The USA have made a habit of starting their games quickly, and it was a similar story here. Having already worked Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakir, Auston Trusty brought down Sebastian Berhalter’s deep corner at the far post and rifled home in the third minute. Trusty scored the second-fastest goal in USA World Cup history (2:13), trailing only Clint Dempsey against Ghana in 2014 (0:30).

But Turkiye were not behind for long. Ending their tournament drought in style, Arda Güler steered a crisp left-footed finish past Matt Turner following a clever reverse pass from Baris Alper Yilmaz in the 10th minute.

Turkiye grew into the game, with Güler’s equalizer giving them newfound belief. Having failed to score with 62 shots across their defeats to Australia and Paraguay, Vincenzo Montella’s team netted with their first two attempts in this match.

Mark McKenzie had what would have been his first goal for the USA disallowed for offside, and Turkiye struck again in the 31st minute. Güler was involved in a slick move that resulted in Eren Elmali getting to the byline. He picked his head up before cutting it back from the left for Orkun Kökçü, whose effort glanced in off Yilmaz’s knee to send Turkiye into halftime leading 2-1.

Second Half: Pulisic Returns and Late Drama

The USA made a flying start to the second half, too, becoming the first team to score in the opening four minutes of both halves in a World Cup match since Nigeria versus Argentina in 2014. It was McKenzie’s long throw that led to their 49th-minute leveler. Amid a scramble in the area, Turkiye could only clear as far as Berhalter, whose sweet half-volley from the edge of the area skipped off the turf and in.

The United States’ eight goals at the 2026 tournament are already a new team record.

Christian Pulisic made his return from injury off the bench and had two chances within five minutes. The second of which drew a spectacular save onto the post from Çakir, while he also sent a left-footed curler wide from 20 yards out. Kenan Yildiz was unfortunate with a similar effort at the other end.

There was to be one final twist, though, subduing a star-studded California crowd. In the 98th minute, substitute Kaan Ayhan arrived at the back post to stretch and prod Can Uzun‘s center over the line. The late goal means the USA will head into their last-32 tie against Bosnia-Herzegovina off the back of a defeat. The USA have now won only one of their last 20 World Cup matches against European teams.

Goal Summary Timeline

Tactical Breakdown: Quality Over Quantity

The USA edged possession (52% to 48%) and fired 18 shots to Turkiye’s 9. Yet Turkiye produced more quality looks, winning the expected goals (xG) battle 2.71 to 2.06. Two big chances scored to one told the same story of shot quality.

Montella set Turkiye in a 3-4-2-1 that asked Güler and Yildiz to float between lines, attacking diagonals behind USA’s fullbacks. The USA lined up 4-3-3 and pushed their wingers high. This generated volume but also exposed spaces for counters.

Defensively, Montella’s team were busier and better in the tackle. They dominated duels, winning 60 percent overall and 61 percent on the ground. They won 20 of 31 tackles compared to 9 of 14 for the Americans. Uğurcan Çakır made five saves, while Matt Turner had one—a gap that aligned with the USA’s shot volume but not their efficiency.

Set pieces and width favored the USA. They earned nine corners to two and completed five of 18 crosses, while Turkiye were 0 of 11 from wide areas. The decisive edges for Turkiye came from duels, big‑chance conversion, and a timely contribution from the bench.

Player Spotlights

Arda Güler was the undisputed Player of the Match. He scored the equalizer and became the game’s best connector between midfield and attack. He completed 40 of 52 passes (30 accurate in the opposition half), won 10 duels, and recorded 67 touches. He consistently received on the half-turn, fed runners, and produced 0.53 xG.

Baris Alper Yilmaz posted a goal and an assist, and created a big chance. His runs from the right side gave Turkiye outlet options whenever the block needed meters. Zeki Çelik added seven duels won, three aerials won, and a last-man tackle. Super-sub Kaan Ayhan scored the winner, recording 0.94 xG on his single attempt during an 11-minute cameo.

For the USA, Sebastian Berhalter was outstanding. He scored, assisted, created five key passes, hit four accurate crosses, and carried the ball well. Auston Trusty added a goal, three shots, and four interceptions.

What This Means for Group D

There have only ever been three instances of a team making more changes to their starting XI between games at a single World Cup than the USA’s nine for this one (Spain in 2006, Belgium in 2018, and Brazil in 2022). The rotation gave key players rest before the knockouts, but the defensive vulnerability will give Pochettino plenty to review.

For Turkiye, this was a high-leverage, pride-restoring win. Out-shot but not out-created, they leaned on duels and decisive moments to end their tournament on a high. The USA can point to the process—possession, shot count, corners, and box touches all suggest they were close. The next step against Bosnia-Herzegovina is sharper finishing and fewer giveaways in central zones.

Read More: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F: Tunisia vs Netherlands Match Report – Dominant Dutch Show No Mercy to Seal Top Spot with 3-1 Win Over Tunisia
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F: Japan vs Sweden Match Report – Japan and Sweden Advance Following Tense 1-1 Draw

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