USMNT Falls to Turkey in Final Moments of Group D at 2026 World Cup
On Thursday night in Los Angeles, the USMNT nearly secured a positive end to their Group D campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but a dramatic late goal from Turkey snatched victory away. Kaan Ayhan came off the bench to score with the final kick, handing Turkey a 3-2 win in a match that had no bearing on the standings.
The United States had already clinched first place in the group after two matches, while Turkey entered the game eliminated following two losses. Despite the stakes, Turkey celebrated passionately, leaving with something to show their fans.
Key Moments and Performances
The USMNT displayed a strong effort overall, which eases the sting of the last-minute loss. Sebastian Berhalter made history by becoming the first American in modern World Cup history to both score and assist in the same game. He set up Auston Trusty's early third-minute goal with a corner kick and later scored himself shortly after halftime.
Turkey capitalized on two defensive errors from the U.S. to take the lead with goals from Arda Guler and Orkun Kokcu. Despite their earlier success in the tournament, Turkey's performance was largely subdued, managing only eight shots compared to their previous total of 62.
Christian Pulisic, returning from a calf injury, energized the U.S. attack after coming on as a substitute with 30 minutes left. Unfortunately, an ankle injury to Trusty late in stoppage time forced the USMNT to play shorthanded during the final moments.
Match Details
Lineups and Substitutions
USA (4-2-3-1): Turner; Scally (Freeman 77'), Trusty, McKenzie, Robinson; Berhalter, Reyna (Dest 77'); Aaronson (Zendejas 77'), McKennie (Tillman 86'), Weah (Pulisic 58'); Pepi.
Turkey (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Celik (Soyuncu 84'), Bardacki, Kabak, Elmali; Ozcan, Kokcu (Ayhan 88'); Aydin (Muldur 90'), Guler, Yildiz (Uzun 84'); Yilmaz (Kahveci 90').
Game Flow and Highlights
The match began with a US corner leading to Trusty’s opener. Turkey quickly responded through Guler, exploiting US defensive errors. Kokcu’s goal gave Turkey the lead before halftime. Berhalter’s impressive strike early in the second half brought the US back level. Christian Pulisic, introduced in the second half, sparked several chances, including a near goal after he replaced Tim Weah.
Late in the game, Trusty suffered an ankle injury but returned limping as the US lost a player due to substitution limits. In the dying seconds, Turkey capitalized on a chaotic moment inside the box with Ayhan scoring the decisive goal.
Context and Next Steps
This was a low-stakes encounter for the USMNT, who topped the group with six points prior. Turkey ended their campaign without points but gained a morale boost from the dramatic win. The US now prepares for the knockout round against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Broadcast Information
The match took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, with Mustapha Ghorbal from Algeria officiating. It was broadcast live on FOX, Telemundo, and Universo in the United States, with streaming available on Fubo and Peacock.
