Türkiye concluded their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the USA in their final Group D match, thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time goal from Kaan Ayhan. This victory marked Türkiye's first goals of the tournament, as they had previously struggled to find the net.

Early Advantage for the USA

The match, held in Los Angeles, saw the USA take an early lead just three minutes in. Auston Trusty scored with a powerful shot from a corner delivered by Sebastian Berhalter, putting the hosts ahead. Despite the USA already securing top spot in the group and Türkiye being eliminated after two losses, both teams were eager to leave a mark in this encounter.

Türkiye's Resurgence

In response to the early setback, Türkiye quickly found their footing. Arda Güler equalized in the 10th minute after a clever one-two with Barış Alper Yılmaz. The momentum shifted further in Türkiye's favor when Yılmaz scored again in the 31st minute, tapping in a low cross from Eren Elmalı. Türkiye went into halftime leading 2-1, having scored their first goals of the tournament.

Second Half Drama

The USA came out strong in the second half, and within four minutes, Berhalter leveled the score at 2-2 with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box. However, Türkiye would not be denied, and in a dramatic finish, Ayhan netted the winning goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time, sealing a memorable victory for Türkiye.

This match not only showcased Türkiye's resilience but also provided a fitting end to their World Cup journey, leaving fans with a sense of pride despite the earlier disappointments.