Turkiye Edge USA 3-2 in Thriller; Ayhan Seals Late Victory at LA Stadium

Türkiye ended their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on a high by defeating the United States 3-2 in a dramatic Group D encounter at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday. Defender Kaan Ayhan scored the decisive goal in the closing stages to hand Türkiye a memorable victory, denying the United States a perfect group-stage record. Although Türkiye had already been eliminated from the tournament before kickoff, they produced a spirited performance to finish their campaign with pride.

The United States made a dream start to the match when Auston Trusty found the net in the third minute to give the hosts an early advantage. Having already secured victories over Paraguay and Australia, Mauricio Pochettino's side entered the contest with qualification to the Round of 32 already confirmed and the opportunity to complete the group stage with a flawless record. However, Türkiye responded strongly and refused to let the match slip away.

Arda Güler restored parity during the first half before Orkun Kökçü added another goal to put Türkiye ahead. The two midfielders combined effectively to turn the contest around and expose gaps in the American defence. Despite having nothing but pride to play for, Türkiye displayed determination and attacking intent throughout the encounter, challenging the group leaders until the final whistle.

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The United States fought back early in the second half when Sebastian Berhalter scored to level the match at 2-2, setting up an entertaining finish. Both teams created opportunities in an open contest, but it was Türkiye who found the decisive breakthrough. Kaan Ayhan struck in the dying moments to complete the comeback and secure all three points for his side in one of the most exciting matches of the group stage.

While the defeat ended the United States' hopes of completing the group stage with maximum points, it did not affect their progression to the knockout rounds. Having already qualified as Group D winners with victories over Paraguay and Australia, the Americans remain focused on the challenges ahead. Mauricio Pochettino's team is now scheduled to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 next Wednesday.

For Türkiye, the victory provided a positive conclusion to an otherwise disappointing World Cup campaign. Although elimination had already been confirmed before the match, the team's resilience and fighting spirit were evident as they overturned an early deficit to defeat one of the tournament's in-form sides. The result also served as a reminder of Türkiye's quality despite their failure to advance to the knockout stage.

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