Los Angeles: Turkiye secures late winner against US in World Cup group stage match

By Rohan Gupta — 26 June 2026 — 3 min read

Turkiye claims victory in Los Angeles

Turkiye defeated a second-string United States side 3-2 with a late goal from Kaan Ayhan at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday, June 25, 2026. This marked Turkiye’s first victory of the tournament. The US, who had already secured their place in the knockout rounds and won Group D, made nine changes to their team for this match.

The Americans initially took an early lead, continuing a pattern from their previous matches, when Auston Trusty scored in the third minute. This goal was met with enthusiasm from the sold-out crowd. However, Turkiye responded with goals from Arda Guler and Baris Yilmaz, marking their first goals of the tournament. The US then equalised through Sebastian Berhalter’s long-range effort shortly after halftime. The decisive moment came when substitute Ayhan found the net at the far post, securing the winner for Turkiye.

Match highlights and player performances

The match, despite being a ‘dead rubber’ with both teams’ fates already sealed, was action-packed and provided a stern test for the World Cup 2026 co-hosts. The US, having already been crowned Group D winners, aimed for a third consecutive win, while also keeping an eye on their upcoming last-32 meeting. For Turkiye, who were already eliminated and had not scored in their previous two matches against Paraguay and Australia, the primary objective was to restore some pride.

The atmosphere at Los Angeles Stadium was described as deafening, despite the low stakes and significant changes to both lineups. The US started strongly for the third game in a row. Auston Trusty, one of the nine changes to the squad, scored his first international goal from a corner, cushioning the ball with his left foot before striking it home. This goal, scored in just under three minutes, was the second-fastest by the US in a World Cup match.

Turkiye’s response came through their star player, Arda Guler. After a clever dummy, the ball reached Baris Alper Yilmaz on the right flank, who then crossed it back to Guler. Guler then struck the ball past Matt Turner to level the score in the 10th minute. The game saw moments of tension, including a protest from Turkiye’s bench following a foul by Sebastian Berhalter, who received a yellow card.

The US briefly thought they had regained the lead when Mark McKenzie scored, but his effort was ruled offside. In the 31st minute, the US found themselves trailing for the first time in this World Cup. Guler initiated a play that led to Eren Elmali cutting the ball back from the left byline to Yilmaz, who steered it past the goalkeeper.

Second half and future focus

The halftime break seemed to benefit the US. In the 49th minute, they drew level again following a long throw by McKenzie. The ball was cleared only as far as Berhalter, who then struck a low shot into the bottom corner. The crowd’s excitement grew further when Christian Pulisic, a key player for the US, was brought on as a substitute just before the hour mark. Pulisic, nicknamed “Captain America,” had been out since aggravating an injury in the opening win against Paraguay two weeks prior.

Upon his return, Pulisic immediately showed his energy, making darting runs from the left and having two efforts blocked. He also saw a shot loop off his shin onto the post. Turkiye continued to press, with a shot from Yildiz curling just wide in the 72nd minute. The late drama unfolded deep into stoppage time when Ayhan scored from close range, securing the win for Turkiye.

Following the final whistle, the American players gathered in a circle, seemingly determined not to let the late defeat overshadow their campaign, which had started strongly. The US will now shift their focus to their knockout-round match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, scheduled for next Wednesday. Turkiye, despite their elimination, will return home having salvaged some pride with this victory.

Source: thehindu.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter