Kaan Ayhan’s Last-Second Strike Gives Turkiye a 3-2 Win Over United States at World Cup
Kaan Ayhan’s stoppage-time goal gave Turkiye a dramatic 3-2 win over the United States at SoFi Stadium, capping a lively Group D finale amid a roaring crowd.
Late Winner Secures Turkiye’s Only World Cup Victory
At SoFi Stadium, the Turkiye vs United States World Cup match produced a dramatic finish when Kaan Ayhan slid home the decisive goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The goal completed a 3-2 comeback for Turkiye and handed the nation its lone victory of the tournament. The finish came after a chaotic sequence on the back post, with Can Uzun creating the chance that ultimately found Ayhan.
The sellout crowd remained on its feet through the final whistle, reflecting the high stakes for national pride even in a match that had no effect on the Americans’ group standing. For Turkiye, the goal offered a late flourish to a campaign otherwise defined by narrow defeats earlier in the competition.
Early Shock as Trusty Opens Scoring
The United States stunned the stadium in the third minute when Auston Trusty met a long corner and powered a header inside the near post. The early strike set a frantic tone and briefly electrified the home fans. That goal underlined how the U.S. began the game on the front foot despite Mauricio Pochettino rotating his lineup substantially.
Pochettino handed starts to nine different players from the side that secured Group D, signaling a focus on squad management ahead of the knockout rounds. The quick opener also highlighted the Americans’ set-piece threat and Trusty’s aerial presence.
Turkiye’s First-Half Efficiency
Turkiye responded swiftly, equalizing in the 10th minute through a sharp two-player move that culminated in Arda Güler’s finish after incisive buildup. Güler, a 21-year-old Real Madrid prospect, was central to Turkiye’s approach and later set up Orkun Kökçü’s 31st-minute strike. The visitors finished the half having scored with both of their shots on target, an efficiency that masked larger statistical dominance they showed earlier in the tournament.
Those chances reflected Turkiye’s ability to create high-quality opportunities even as results had not gone their way in prior matches. Their two-goal first half gave the team a belief that the contest, while inconsequential for standings, was worth fighting to win.
Pulisic Returns, US Pushes for Equalizer
Christian Pulisic made his first appearance since exiting at halftime of the Americans’ opener, coming on in the 58th minute to a thunderous reception. The AC Milan midfielder injected energy and nearly scored within minutes, creating a dangerous run down the left flank. Sebastian Berhalter then chased down a loose ball and struck a powerful drive in the 49th minute to pull the U.S. level, keeping the match finely balanced.
Pulisic’s return added urgency to the U.S. attack, and Brenden Aaronson had a gilt-edged chance after a rebound, only to miss a sitter that might have altered the ending. A shot from Pulisic rattled the post, and goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir’s timely interventions preserved Turkiye’s slender lead until the dramatic finish.
Records and Tournament Context
Trusty’s early goal was the United States’ seventh of the tournament, a figure that matched their previous record for goals scored before knockout play. The match also marked a broader tournament milestone: it produced the 173rd goal of the World Cup, surpassing the combined-goal total from the prior edition in Qatar and doing so in fewer matches. Those numbers underline the open, attacking nature of this World Cup across multiple groups.
For Turkiye, the victory was a rare bright spot after their two opening losses left them eliminated from advancement. Their decisive improvement in chance conversion against the U.S. demonstrated the squad’s capacity to compete against higher-ranked opposition when opportunities are taken.
Knockout Outlook and Team Management
Mauricio Pochettino has already set his sights on the knockout phase, with the U.S. advancing as Group D winners and scheduled to meet Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32. The coach’s rotation in this low-stakes finale reflected a balancing act between preserving fitness and maintaining competitive momentum for the players most likely to feature in the elimination match. Several starters were rested, but Pulisic’s reintroduction suggested core attacking pieces will be relied on in the weeks ahead.
Turkiye, meanwhile, will depart the tournament buoyed by a finish that showcased young talents and a capacity to execute under pressure. The result offers a platform for the national team’s emerging players to build on as they regroup post-tournament.
The match left coaches with clear takeaways: the Americans must tighten finishing and capitalize on chances, while Turkiye can take confidence from clinical first-half finishing and late-game resilience. Both squads will rapidly shift focus to what comes next, with the U.S. preparing for knockout intensity and Turkiye evaluating positives to carry forward.
