Turkiye secures late victory against US
Turkiye defeated the United States 3-2 in an action-packed World Cup 2026 match, with Kaan Ayhan scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. The match, played in Los Angeles, provided a significant test for the US team ahead of the knockout rounds. Despite the US having already secured their position as Group D winners, Turkiye, who had been eliminated, aimed to restore pride after previous losses.
The atmosphere at the Los Angeles Stadium was described as deafening, even with both teams fielding substantially reshuffled lineups. The US started strongly, with backup centre-back Auston Trusty scoring his first international goal just under three minutes into the game. Trusty, a Celtic defender, was unmarked at the far post from a US corner, allowing him to control the ball and strike it home.
However, Turkiye quickly responded. Their star player, Arda Guler, equalised in the 10th minute. Guler skillfully deceived Mark McKenzie, allowing the ball to reach Baris Alper Yilmaz on the right flank. Yilmaz then crossed the ball back to Guler, who powerfully struck it past Matt Turner.
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 believed they had regained the lead when McKenzie found the net, but his effort, following a saved shot from Ricardo Pepi, was disallowed for offside. In the 31st minute, the US found themselves trailing for the first time in this World Cup when Guler set up Eren Elmali, who then cut the ball back for Yilmaz to score.
Second half sees US rally and Pulisic return
The second half brought a resurgence for the US. In the 49th minute, they drew level again following a long throw from McKenzie. The ball was cleared by Turkiye only as far as Berhalter, who then struck a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
A significant moment for the US came just before the hour mark with the introduction of Christian Pulisic. Pulisic, nicknamed “Captain America,” entered the game to a round of “USA” chants. He had been sidelined since aggravating an injury in the first half of the opening win against Paraguay two weeks prior. Pulisic immediately showed his impact, making darting runs from the left and having two efforts blocked from close range. He also saw a ball loop off his shin onto the post.
Despite the US efforts, Turkiye continued to pose a threat. A shot from Yildiz curled inches wide in the 72nd minute. The US momentum seemed to wane towards the end of the match. Weston McKennie, the only US player to start all three group games, was substituted in the 86th minute, with Malik Tillman taking his place and the captain’s armband going to Pulisic.
In stoppage time, Ayhan delivered the decisive blow, scoring from close range to secure the 3-2 victory for Turkiye. The US players gathered in a circle after the final whistle, reflecting on the late defeat. The match also saw defender Trusty leave the field with an injury in stoppage time, leaving the US to potentially finish the game with ten players.
The US had some defensive breakdowns, particularly around the goal. There were questions regarding the positioning of US defenders during Turkiye’s scoring opportunities. Despite the loss, the US team had positives, including the return of Pulisic and the overall effort shown throughout the game. The team will now look ahead to their last-32 meeting against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Source: theguardian.com
As NewsGB.org's Sports News Writer, Theo Marsden reports on rugby union, golf and boxing for readers across the country. He began on a regional sports desk in Yorkshire. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Hull and completed an NCTJ diploma. Theo lives in Hull, where he follows the European Tour and amateur rugby. “Sport moves fast; readers deserve it right the first time.”